Anthony Joseph Kelly

Anthony Joseph Kelly of Frederick, Maryland died unexpectedly on June 3, 2022. He was a member of the 1976 graduating class of Frederick High School.  Due to a tragic and life altering swimming accident in 1980, Anthony became a wheel-chair bound quadriplegic for the last 42 years of his life.  However, Anthony’s unstoppable determination and will for life drove him to live completely independent in his Frederick apartment for over 40 years. He raised a son as a single father and owned and ran a successful small business, Anthony’s Answer Wheelchair Transportation Services.   Anthony could be seen driving in his beloved brown and tan 1982 Chevy van, outfitted with a wheelchair lift and hand controls, across Frederick to meet friends and family or driving to Baltimore or Washington, transporting one of his many long-time clients from the Frederick County Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to their medical appointments.  Anthony enjoyed regular lunches with his son, taking his grandchildren to pick out their birthday presents, large family gatherings and local car shows. One of ten children and growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, Anthony charted his own course in life as a fiercely independent man, with a network of friends and family in support.  Anthony’s strength of will and the love and care of his family allowed him to far exceed all medical expectations on his life; most medical practitioners consider Anthony a medical marvel.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Jeremiah and Aimee Kelly, and five beautiful grandchildren, Lillian, Rhiannon, Isaiah, Elias and Abram, all of Middletown, Maryland, his brothers and sisters, Mary A. Kelly and Fern Y. Hunt of Silver Spring, Margaret M. Kelly, Paula M. Kelly, Mark A. and Suzi Kelly, Agnes M. and Mark Heller, and Teresita M. and Gene Lemar all of Frederick, MD, and Kevin M. and Mary Hope Kelly of Middletown. Extended family members include Clyde and Joan Finley and John and Mary O’Malley. Anthony is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Teresita Kelly of Adamstown, Maryland, sister, Katherine M. Finley, and brother Gregory M. Kelly.  We are especially grateful for Clarence L. Wiley, whose extended care for and friendship to Anthony was a blessing.

A visitation and memorial will be held at the Frederick Church of the Brethren in, 201 Fairview Ave, Frederick, MD 21701, on June 9 ^th from 3-5 p.m., with the memorial starting at 4 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph -on- Carrolton Manor, 5843 Manor Woods Rd, Frederick, MD 21703, on Friday, June 10th at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery.