In Memory: Finnegan T. Kelly, Age 17
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Finnegan Kelly, beloved son of Timothy & Eleanor Kelly of Rye, NY.
In the words of his father, “Finn brought joy to our lives for almost 18 years and he made our family stronger. He will be forever in our hearts.”
Finn loved to ski and was the youngest skier ever in the adaptive program at Jiminy Peak. He was only three when he started racing, and he won gold medals every year he skied. He loved to go fast and feel the wind on his face. He enjoyed swimming and dancing late into the night at his siblings’ swim meets at Shenorock Shore Club. His favorite song was Cotton Eye Joe and he loved to dance the Cha Cha Slide.
Finn was a true Irishman, enjoying his meat and potatoes. In fact, food was one of his biggest joys and he was well known for his love of eating. He ate everything and lots of it! He loved to celebrate his birthday and happily allowed anyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to him any day of the year.
Most importantly, Finn was loved and he loved deeply. His smile and laugh were infectious and brightened the day of all who knew him.
Finn leaves behind his grieving parents, brother Dillon and sisters Tatum and Shane, grandparents John and Marianne Downes and William and Mary-Lew Kelly, lifelong caregiver Helen Mascoll, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and countless teachers, therapists, and friends. Finn inspired friends and family to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, which works to be a catalyst for creating positive change for people with cerebral palsy. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Finn’s name to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, 3 Columbus Circle, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday 24 June at 10:00 in the morning at Church of the Resurrection, 910 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY.
Finn changed every life he touched. He made every day better just by being present. To know him was to love him. Rest in peace, Finnegan, running and singing in heaven.
