Santa Clara remembers Ed Kelly 1916-2011
By Tom Schreier
On Saturday, April 30, Santa Clara University lost a legend.
Ed Kelly '39, who had served the school as a volunteer in the athletic department for 29 years, passed away after a recent surgery at the age of 94. Friends and family surrounded him at the time of his death.
"In his 94 years, he had really seen it all," said Santa Clara Athletic Director Dan Coonan, in an email. "A devoted family man, he was a terrific role model, and a great example of how to live your life."
Coonan met Kelly in 2004. He remembers a Santa Clara basketball game four years ago when the school awarded Kelly a plaque at center court in the Leavey Center.
"Momentum in the crowd continued as the announcer read the tribute and the people [in attendance] learned that he had volunteered for 25 years," wrote Coonan. "I handed him the plaque and suggested to him that he hold it above his head, and the crowd, including the student section, went crazy." Coonan reflects on this moment with nostalgia, saying how the overwhelming response of the crowd along with Kelly's huge smile formed an unforgettable memory.
Others who were touched by Kelly's influence on their life included Liz Courter ‘06, the Assistant Director of the Bronco Bench Foundation. She regarded Kelly as a highlight in her life, and enjoyed his amiable and kind-hearted personality. These characteristics were exemplified by his routine of bringing Courter and Christina Martinez, the Administrative Assistant for Athletics and Recreation at Santa Clara, orchids from his garden as gifts.
"I loved having them on my desk," Martinez reflected. "Every time I see orchids I will think of Ed. That and extra black coffee! I don't know how he drank that stuff, it [probably] tasted like motor oil."
Taylor Thorn, the Ticket Manager at the Leavey Center, echoed Courter's sentiments. What Thorn remembered most about Kelly was his constant willingness to help others. To go along with this generosity, Kelly never asked anything of others, according to Thorn, who worked with the beloved volunteer in the ticketing office for the past three years. The two spent about 30 hours working together every week.
"Ed was a great role model to others and [he] truly showed what it meant to live a ‘great life,'" said Thorn.
Donna Bolio, the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director at Santa Clara, felt a personal connection to Kelly because both of them had come from intimate family backgrounds. Bolio cherished the stories she and Kelly were able to share regarding their families.
Current Santa Clara Men's Soccer Coach Cameron Rast '91 met Kelly in 1988, when the former was a student at the school. The two had been colleagues in the athletic department for the past 17 years, beginning when Rast returned to campus to coach.
Rast's most memorable moment with Kelly occurred last Christmas Eve, when the soccer coach brought a group of Bronco Kids to play sports in the Leavey Center that morning. Upon walking into the gym, Rast noticed the window to the ticket office was open.
"There Mr. Kelly was. We greeted one another. Mr. Kelly was reading his paper waiting for a patron to come pick up his tickets," he explained. Upon finishing up with the children, Rast remembered walking by to check on Kelly, who was still patiently waiting. This instance was just another example of Ed Kelly's seemingly unending dedication.
"When I reflect on that morning; I was always happy to find him here and in so many ways he always found happiness being here," Rast fondly recalled.
What everyone needs to find is a man like Ed Kelly.
Contact Tom Schreier at tschreier@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.