OKATIE, S.C. -- Cpt. Matthew James Kelly, age 48, answered his final call on Monday, May 4, 2020, surrounded by his family.
Matt was born May 16, 1971, in Watertown, Mass., and graduated in 1989 from Watertown High School.
As a young man, Matt followed his father’s footsteps and began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Malden, Mass., Fire Department.
In 1990, Matt joined the United States Air Force and served as a firefighter. In 1994 and 1995, he was employed with the Massachusetts Fire Academy and from 1995 through 1997 he worked with the 165th Airport Fire Department and the Savannah Fire Department from 1997 until 2005. Matt returned to Sandwich, Mass., from 2006 to the middle of 2007, working with their fire department. In 2007 and 2008, he worked with DeKalb County. In 2008, Matt returned to Savannah, where he currently served as a captain at the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station.
In addition to his service as a firefighter, Matt graduated from Savannah Technical College, where he became an EMT and paramedic.
Additionally, he worked part-time at Chatham Warning Devices and also managed the fire safety crew at the Hutchison Island Racetrack.
He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 574.
Matt was preceded in death by his father, Lt. James Joseph Kelly, Watertown Fire Department, Watertown, Mass.
Matt is survived by his wife, Jennifer Joiner Kelly of Okatie, S.C.; a son, Brennan Kelly of Okatie, S.C.; stepson, Hunter Finch of Statesboro; his mother, Merle Kelly of East Sandwich, Mass.; and two sisters and their families, Jennifer Marie Kelly of Shirley, Mass.; and Tara Anne Kelly of Vermont. Many aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.
A procession of fire, EMS and police vehicles will assemble at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home in Savannah on Thursday morning. The procession will leave Fox & Weeks at 10 a.m. and will travel to the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station at 121 East Oglethorpe Avenue.
A service celebrating Matt’s life and his dedication as a firefighter will be held at the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station. The service may be viewed via livestream on the Savannah Fire Department's Facebook page.
Following the services, a drive-by visitation will be held outside of the headquarters.
Pallbearers will be Scott Novak, Charles Peek, Wesley Stoneman, Stephen Sokolowski, Shaun Hartl, Chad Osterlund, Joshua Duran and Michael Gallagher.
Matt will return to Sandwich, Mass., where he will be laid to rest in the Sandwich Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910; or the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, P.O. Box 1922, Savannah, GA 31402.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, May 5, 2020
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.
Matt was born May 16, 1971, in Watertown, Mass., and graduated in 1989 from Watertown High School.
As a young man, Matt followed his father’s footsteps and began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Malden, Mass., Fire Department.
In 1990, Matt joined the United States Air Force and served as a firefighter. In 1994 and 1995, he was employed with the Massachusetts Fire Academy and from 1995 through 1997 he worked with the 165th Airport Fire Department and the Savannah Fire Department from 1997 until 2005. Matt returned to Sandwich, Mass., from 2006 to the middle of 2007, working with their fire department. In 2007 and 2008, he worked with DeKalb County. In 2008, Matt returned to Savannah, where he currently served as a captain at the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station.
In addition to his service as a firefighter, Matt graduated from Savannah Technical College, where he became an EMT and paramedic.
Additionally, he worked part-time at Chatham Warning Devices and also managed the fire safety crew at the Hutchison Island Racetrack.
He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 574.
Matt was preceded in death by his father, Lt. James Joseph Kelly, Watertown Fire Department, Watertown, Mass.
Matt is survived by his wife, Jennifer Joiner Kelly of Okatie, S.C.; a son, Brennan Kelly of Okatie, S.C.; stepson, Hunter Finch of Statesboro; his mother, Merle Kelly of East Sandwich, Mass.; and two sisters and their families, Jennifer Marie Kelly of Shirley, Mass.; and Tara Anne Kelly of Vermont. Many aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.
A procession of fire, EMS and police vehicles will assemble at Fox & Weeks Funeral Home in Savannah on Thursday morning. The procession will leave Fox & Weeks at 10 a.m. and will travel to the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station at 121 East Oglethorpe Avenue.
A service celebrating Matt’s life and his dedication as a firefighter will be held at the Savannah Fire Department Headquarters Station. The service may be viewed via livestream on the Savannah Fire Department's Facebook page.
Following the services, a drive-by visitation will be held outside of the headquarters.
Pallbearers will be Scott Novak, Charles Peek, Wesley Stoneman, Stephen Sokolowski, Shaun Hartl, Chad Osterlund, Joshua Duran and Michael Gallagher.
Matt will return to Sandwich, Mass., where he will be laid to rest in the Sandwich Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910; or the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, P.O. Box 1922, Savannah, GA 31402.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, May 5, 2020
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.