Moncton man fondly remembered in N.B. hockey, softball communities

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By NEIL HODGE
Times & Transcript Staff

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Henry Kelly was a two-sport star and that meant double the pleasure for those who knew him.

The New Brunswick hockey and softball communities are in mourning after losing a giant figure yesterday. The 86-year-old Moncton native passed away at The Moncton Hospital following a lengthy illness.

"He was more of a father figure," said Wendy Dealy, a softball player who was coached by Kelly. "We just played the game. He took care of everything else. He always had everything under control.

"We were always well protected under him. He was a gentleman on and off the field. I'm proud and honoured to have been associated with him and his teams. It was a great privilege playing for him."

Kelly formed the Moncton Rebels in 1969 and coached them until the late 1980s, winning 15 New Brunswick and Maritime women's softball titles and making eight national championship appearances.

Dealy was a pitcher for the Rebels, who won a silver medal at the 1975 junior nationals.

"It's as devestating as losing a parent or grandparent," said Krista Richard, a former Rebels catcher. "He was my softball dad. A lot of the lessons that Mr. Kelly taught us are things that I ended up passing along to another generation of kids as a teacher."

Kelly was involved in softball for 70 years as a coach and player. He also made a name for himself as a long-time referee and coach in hockey.

He was inducted into both the New Brunswick Hall of Fame and Moncton Wall of Fame as a builder in 1986. He's also a member of the Softball N.B. Hall of Fame and the Softball Canada Hall of Fame.

Kelly officiated almost 3,300 hockey games during a 28-year career that ended in 1978. He helped form the New Brunswick Referees Association and was also chairman of the eastern zone and secretary treasurer for the association.

Kelly, known as Mr. Softball, played in the Moncton District Softball League for 35 years. He served on the New Brunswick Softball Association for 18 years and coached the New Brunswick team at the 1973 and 1977 Canada Summer Games.

He was an umpire for 12 years and helped form the New Brunswick Softball Association. He also coached for 29 years in the Moncton District Softball League and guided Moncton squads to Maritime senior A men's titles in 1959 and 1963.

"He was a life-long friend," said Norm (Red) Mullins, who played for coach Kelly's two Maritime championship softball teams. "He was a really fierce competitor and that probably surprised some people who saw him as a quiet person. He was a competitor, no question about that."

Kelly and Bobby Ferguson played on the same softball team for 16 years after the Second World War. That included the Moncton clubs that won the 1959 and 1963 Maritime senior A crowns.

"I knew him since Grade 7," said Ferguson. "He was the best friend I ever had. We hung out together for much of our lives. He was an outstanding person who accomplished a lot in hockey and softball."

Kelly started playing softball at age 16 in Havelock and his love for the game quickly grew from there.

Moncton paid tribute to this softball player, coach, manager and umpire by changing City Field's name to Kelly Field in 1975.

"Henry took care of everything at that field," said Ray Gibbs, who played softball under coach Kelly in the 1980s. "That field was his baby. He did it all to take care of teams there."

"He always had the best interest of the sport in mind and would do anything to help the game grow." said Eddie St. Pierre, a former Times & Transcript sports editor who considered Kelly a close friend.

Visitation is today from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home. The funeral is tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Parkside Baptist Church.