Ross Kelly's Wake

All,

Just a short note to send along a photo of the F-1 classmates who attended Ross Kelly's wake last evening at Ross's favorite pub in Great Falls.  It was without a doubt the most moving wake Janie and I have ever attended, and so very well organized and conducted by Susan and Ross' children.  You could just feel the love, respect and admiration for Ross from his many family members, friends and colleagues.  Janie and I were in tears as we watched his daughters perform truly professional quality Irish dancing and music as we have been watching them at Ross' annual St. Patrick's Day gatherings since they were very young girls.  It was a fine send off for our very special classmate who continued to serve after retirement and who was described as perhaps our most highly decorated classmate (although I have not tried to very that).

A few notes from Mike Murphy and John Beasley are attached below too.

Hank and Janie Zimon


Well said Mike -- just what we'd expect from an Irishman. It was indeed a celebration of Ross' life. And I agree that he would have give it a 3.0 -- several of which Ross actually got as long as numbers weren't involved.   John Beasley

All

Just a note to tell you that we had a "grand time" at the wake last evening.   It was a packed house, including many of Ross' work friends, neighbors, comrades-in-arms, and classmates.

The party mirrored the Kelly's annual St Patrick's day event with many Irish songs, Irish Dancing, and just a tad bit of alcohol consumption.

There were many fine tributes, eulogies, and Ross stories given at the podium.  Perhaps the most moving was the testimonial from a survivor of the Battle of An Loc who stated that he would not be here today if it were not for Ross' personal bravery.

F-1 was represented by Hank and Janie Zimon, John and Karen Beasley, Doug and Grace Alderman, and Mike and Pinky Murphy.  Tom and Sheila Rabaut (E-4) also knew Ross and were in attendance.

If anyone else who attended would like to comment to this group please do!  I'm sure you can improve on my summary.

Several of you who live outside the D.C. area had asked me by email to express your sympathies to Susan, and we did so.

Many thanks to Susan for inviting us, we really did enjoy celebrating his life.   I feel confident Ross would have graded the event at "3.0".

Mike Murphy