Father of 9/11 Hero Loses Life

Emmet Kelly, the father of a Riverhead 9/11 hero who was honored recently at the new 9/11 Memorial Park on Sound Avenue, died Tuesday night.

The father of Thomas Kelly, 38, a New York City firefighter and one of seven members of Engine 219, Ladder 105 who died on September 11 after the terrorist attacks, "passed from this life peacefully at home," wrote his son Bob Kelly.

The Reeves Park resident, Kelly said, had been "battling a full plate of health issues for some time now. Dad was placed under hospice care a few weeks back, and with the tremendous support from my family, friends and health care providers he  was able to slowly check out, in a warm, loving fashion."

Kelly sent thanks to family and friends for prayers, thoughts and meditations sent throughout the last days. "We could feel the positive energy in Mom and Dad's home," he wrote.

Services will be held Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald F. Tuthill Funeral Home on East Main Street in Riverhead, with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Riverhead.

"One of the last great memories Emmet had was the fact that he was able to attend the Sept. 11 memorial service here in Reeves Park," Kelly wrote. "Dad and Mom were quietly touched and honored to know our family was able to play a small part in getting this park to  see the light of day."
 
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations can be made to the September 11 Memorial Park at Reeves Beach, C/O Sound Park Heights Civic Association, 110 Park Road, Riverhead, NY 11901.

"I know Dad's in a better place, and he's  at peace as he joins his mom, dad, his brothers, sister, and of course Tommy. Im sure Tom's got things just exactly perfect for Emmet. You know our love will not fade away," Kelly wrote.

The 9/11 memorial park was open for the recent service and will have a formal opening in months to come.