George Jay Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to George and Marion Kelly, nee Crosson.  His father, George, had been the national billiard champion until defeated by Willie Mosconi and was a nephew of the playwright and Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner and uncle to the film actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.  Jay grew up in Germantown where he formed life-long friends known as The Happy Hollow Boys*.  He was an avid scholar and an award-winning, devoted teacher who taught at Los Angeles City College for over thirty years.  He is survived by his wife, Leslie; children, Marcus, and Dr. Marcella Kelly; step-son, Michael Adler; two grandchildren, Ariel, and Kyra; and three great grandchildren.  His only brother, Bill, preceded him in death in 2012.  He loved us all deeply. 

 

 

 

*Ed "Sonny" Kennedy, Paul "Bor" Borian, Mike "Mugs" Masterson, Trout, Monk McCaulley, Cisco Payne, et al.  Most influential of all, Robert "Goo Goo" Guarnello, mentor of The Happy Hollow Boys.