Donald Thaddeus Kelley

KELLEY, Donald Thaddeus, 48, of Norwood, MA, passed away last week after a lifelong bout of positivity and wonder. Donald was born in Boston, MA, and raised in Norwood, MA, the son of the late Michael Russell Kelley, Sr. (1941-2020) and the late Faith Lovell Kelley (1942-1989). Donald attended the Norwood Public Schools, graduating High School in 1992. To say Donny was loved by anyone who knew him, would be a complete understatement. Donald was the most caring, thoughtful, funny soul you could ever meet. He always remembered everything about you, your family, always asked you about them, never forgetting one detail about your life, while never speaking about his. Donald had many friends and he loved and appreciated them all. In return the love they gave back to Don was everything that made him who he was. Please rest assured that Donald passed knowing he was loved by all, and in turn Donald died a happy man. Uncle Donald was all about family. If you were lucky enough to call Donny your brother, your son, or your uncle, then you know just how fortunate you were. His stories (true or not) will be missed by us all, but especially by his siblings, nephews and nieces. His storytelling gift, charm, wit and smile makes us all miss him so very much already. Sadly those can never be replaced, but at least we had them for 48 wonderful years. Donald is off to rejoin his mother, Faith and father, Mike, where the three of them will have a smoke and drive around in the old orange family van. Donald is survived by his sister Catherine (Kelley) Shepard, her husband Mike and daughter Sophie; brother Michael Jr. and his sons Jack, Ryan, and Ben, and their mother Kristin; brother Matthew, his wife Elayne and daughters Maeve and Isabel; brother Andrew, his wife Catharine, son Hayden and daughter Faith; sister Faith (Kelley) Sheehan, her husband Dan, daughter Zoë and sons Maddox and Beckett; his best friend and brother Colin, his wife Kate, son Xavier and daughters Elaina and Keira; and lastly but not leastly, his baby sister and confidant Rebecca. Donald gave more to this world than he ever took. For those whose lives he touched, he has left behind a beautiful emptiness no one ever wishes to be repaired. Rest in peace brother Donald, a.k.a. the best Kelley.
A private, family Memorial will take place at Highland Cemetery in Norwood, MA on April 9, 2022 with a Celebration of Life to follow at Lewis' at 11:00 AM.