John F. “Jack” Kelly passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 83, following complications from glioblastoma, and died surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 5, 1942, in Jersey City, NJ, Jack was the middle child of thirteen siblings. This upbringing instilled in him a sense of humility, resilience, and a thoughtful approach to life. He completed his undergraduate degree in business at St. Peter's College and his Executive Master of Business Administration from Pace University.

Jack was a lifelong learner and devoted bookworm, with a deep passion for history, political thought, and strategy. He was rarely without a book nearby, finding joy in understanding the past to navigate the present. His intellectual curiosity also extended to medical research, where he took great interest in scientific discovery and emerging treatments. He also enjoyed the focus and discipline of golf.

Professionally, Jack spent decades in the technology and computer systems industry, holding long-tenured leadership roles with Ford Motor Company (International Division), Honeywell, Prime Computer, and Encore Computer Corporation/Sun Microsystems. He was known for his integrity and thoughtful leadership, building lasting relationships throughout his career.

Jack's greatest legacy, however, was his role as President of the Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham's Disease Alliance (LGDA), founded by his daughter Jana. Beginning in 2007, he devoted nearly two decades to building LGDA from the ground up into a trusted global nonprofit supporting patients and families affected by rare lymphatic anomalies. His leadership emphasized compassion, education, research advancement, and connecting families to specialized care, creating a community where few had existed before.

Even in the face of profound personal loss, Jack carried on with remarkable grace. He endured the unimaginable heartbreak of outliving both of his beloved daughters, Jana Sheets and Megan Macario. Yet, even in grief, he honored Jana's vision through steadfast advocacy and service, transforming loss into purpose.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife, Carol, with whom he shared 31 years of marriage; his stepchildren John (& Natalie) Harris and Jessica (& Michael) Glover; his son-in-law John Macario and his cherished granddaughter Gloria Macario, his former son-in-law, Eric Sheets and his son, Gavin and his step-grandchildren Phoebe Harris, Cadence Glover, Connor Glover, and Camden Glover, all of whom brought him great pride and joy.

He is also survived by his brother Robert (& Judy) Kelly, sisters Helen (&Vern) Roberts, and Kathleen (& Al) Ardizzone. He was preceded in death by brothers Thomas (& Maureen) Kelly, Michael (& Carole) Kelly, William Kelly, and Joseph Kelly, as well as sisters Geraldine (& Fred) Breitweiser, Patricia (& Buddy) Stirone, Virginia (& Gene) Bocis, Marilyn Horath, and Dorothy Pedrero. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jack's memory to the Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham's Disease Alliance (LGDA), helping to continue the mission that defined his life and honored his daughter's vision: https://lgdalliance.org/.

Jack Kelly will be remembered as a man of intellect, compassion, and unwavering perseverance—a husband, father, grandfather, and advocate whose legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the community he built.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/john-f-kelly/obituary/

Copy