Harold Kelly’s eye was on Jesus as he won the greatest race of his life and crossed the finish line into the arms of his Heavenly Father on October 19, 2020.
Harold was born to Harry and Mary Kelly on May 3, 1935 in Wampum, PA. He married Susan Mason on October 8, 1957. They were blessed with 57 years together until she preceded him in death on November 27, 2014. Together they loved and adored and are survived by two daughters Linda(Tom) Moyer and Deborah (Jeff) Tillia, four Grandchildren Scott(Kim) Moyer, Sean (Brianna) Moyer, Brianne(Randy) Schmidt, Alan Wroblewski, and three great granddaughter’s, Kaylee and Kenzie Moyer, and Lucy Schmidt. Harold is also survived by a brother-In-Law, Paul “Art” Wells, and many nieces and nephews as well as his extended family Hank and Paula Kuchinsky, Josie Wingert, and Bill Owens. He was preceded in death by his Parents, both of his Sister’s, several sister and brother-in-laws and 2 Nephews. He also leaves behind many many people whom he was honored to call friends.
Harold always had a passion for horses having been raised on a farm in Western Pennsylvania. He began his professional driving career in 1951, with his first drive coming at the age of 16 on a ismall track in Painsville, Ohio. He raced all over at tracks in the Western PA and Ohio areas, before moving to New Jersey in 1955. During his more than 60 year career as both a Driver and Trainer, he had the privilege to work with many fine Drivers and Horsemen, including Stanley Dancer and Joe Holloway to name a few. Harold had the opportunity to drive many fine horses throughout his career including his all time favorite, State Time. The highlight of his career came in 1988, winning the Sweetheart Pace with Concertina. Among many achievements, Harold was inducted into the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Harold officially hung up his reins in 2014.
Visitation will be in Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold. A private graveside service will be Friday in Chambersburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, his family would be honored for donations to be made in his memory to the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, Attn: Chaplain Lee Alphen 157 North Main St. Salem, NH 03079
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2Timothy 4:7).