Obituary of Ronald Burger Kelly

KELLY, Dr. Ronald Burger, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D. (UNB) - The death of Dr. Ronald B. Kelly of Saint John West, husband of the late Leslie (Drubé) Kelly, occurred on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at the Ridgewood Veteran's Centre. Born at Fairvale, he was a son of the late Walter and Bessie (Burger) Kelly. Dr. Kelly began his early education in Rothesay, and attended Provincial Normal School after graduating from High School. He taught for two years in the New Brunswick School system, before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 as a Navagator. He continued to serve for the remainder of World War II, being discharged in 1946 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and earning five medals and campaign stars. After the war, Dr. Kelly attended the University of New Brunswick, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree (with honours), a Master of Science, and in 1953 obtained his Ph.D. as well. He then studied, as a Beaverbrook Overseas Scholar, at London University in England, and subsequently as a National Research Council Post-doctoral Fellow at Queen's University. Beginning in1955, he worked as a chemist for both Merck and Co., and the Upjohn Co., before accepting an Associate Professorship at the University of New Brunswick in 1967. Thus began a distinguised career as a Professor and a Research Scientist, which lasted until his retirement in 1985, at which time he was appointed Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at UNB. Dr. Kelly received numerous awards, scholarships, and research grants throughout his lifetime, and was published in several scientific journals. He also held many distinguished positions on several different committees, commissions, and panels, including being a member of the Senate of the University of New Brunswick Saint John Campus. Apart from his life as a scholar and educator, Dr. Kelly was a member of the Miramichi Salmon Association, and a Fellow of the Miramichi Salmon Museum, as well as being a member of the Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre. Anglican by faith, Dr. Kelly and his wife also kept a home in Doaktown, where they enjoyed many comfortable summers. Dr. Kelly is survived by sister, Laura Gorman of Ottawa, Ontario, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Wallace and Kenneth. Although there will be no visitation time, relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service which will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew's Anglican Cemetery, Doaktown. For those who wish, remembrances to any charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. The funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan's Bayview Select Community Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, Saint John (634-7425).