The Peru Gazette

Joe Kelley – January 23, 2017

By John T. Ryan

Joanne Kennedy Photo

Peru’s younger and new residents probably don’t know 92 year-old Joe Kelley. Best known for being Clinton Country’s first full-time and third longest serving district attorney (1975-87), Kelley is also a World War II Veteran. Over the course of his career he was attorney for the towns of Au Sable and Peru, served ten years on the Peru Central School Board, was Peru Democratic Party Chairman and a State Democratic Committee member. Joe Kelley’s peers and friends use these words to describe him: low key, humble, positive thinking, humorous, very good at his job, a Christian gentleman, a great family man, a very nice man and a man who loves his Irish heritage.

Joe Kelley is a Hudson Falls, NY native and a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Albany Law School. He and his wife Jane moved to Peru in 1951 when Joe was hired by Plattsburgh attorney John Judge. They raised six children in Peru – Patrick, Michael, Mary, Kathleen, Timothy and Matthew. Following Matthew’s birth, Jane earned a Masters of Library Science Degree at SUNY Albany and served as Ausable Valley Central School’s Middle School librarian for 20 years. She passed away in 2011 at age 88 after 63 years of marriage. Patrick died in a tragic 1972 automobile accident.

Joe & Jane at Joe’s retirement party

Attorney Bill Russell was a part-time assistant district attorney for eleven of Kelley’s twelve years as DA and he is still a close friend. Russell recalled, “Everyone knew Joe had a lot of common sense. What they didn’t know was that he knew the law. He ran a good office. As the county’s chief prosecutor, he did not abuse the powers of his office. He respected other people’s opinions and factored them into his decision making.” Russell said that Kelley’s office had one of the highest felony conviction rates in New York State.

Any district attorney works very closely with police agencies. Former New York State Troop B Commander Jack Lawliss commented, “Joe was a very good district attorney. He didn’t ramrod things. He was low key. He got his job done. He conducted himself as a gentleman.” In the mid-1980’s when Lawliss led the State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), he worked closely with Kelley on several crimes including the much publicized Michael Murphy – Andrew Pitkin murder case.

Peter Keenan and Joe Kelley

Area 5 County Legislator fellow Democrat and former Peru Town Justice Peter Keenan said, “Joe is a fine gentleman and a hardcore Democrat. He helped me in both my campaigns driving me from door to door. There were very few elected Democrats in Peru when he came to town.”

St. Augustine’s Pastor Alan Shnob described Joe as a Christian gentleman. Smiling broadly Father Shnob said, “He’s very positive, very humble, humorous and he has a lively faith. He keeps up with all the issues and he’s not opposed to having a good time!” Joe served on the St. Augustine’s Parish Council and was President of the Planning Committee for the new St. Augustine’s School.

Joe’s neighbor Joanne Kennedy said, “I try to go over to visit Joe several times a month and each time I marvel that this man is over 90 years old…Each time I hear a new story about some interesting event or his treasured family. I’m not a born and raised Peruvian, but I sure know many tales thanks to Joe.” Joe’s friends and associates have undoubtedly heard most of those tales at their regular morning and lunchtime gatherings.

Joe Kelley prefers to talk about the fine people he has associated with rather than any of his accomplishments. Asked what advice he would give to anyone beginning a legal career he responded, “Work hard. Be honest with your employer. Be honest with your clients.” These are good words of advice and words that Joe Kelley has lived by.

Participating in a 2015 Honor Flight to Washington DC