Martin Kelley Obituary

Very sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Was a very sweet judge.

I remember Judge Kelley as kind, considerate, knowledgeable, and fair. He went out of his way to allow me time to attend a funeral once, with fairness to all sides, of course. My deepest condolences to his family.

Dear Family of Martin Kelley,

As the Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus at Saint Viator High School, I offer you the sympathy and prayers of the Saint Viator/Sacred Heart of Mary Community. Know that our hearts go out to you as you begin your journey of grief. You are in our prayers as you share the stories, laugh and cry, and find ways to celebrate the life of your son, your husband, your father, your stepfather, your brother, and the love you shared.

As I read the many heartfelt posts on this Tribute Wall, for this man who lived his life as a disciple of Jesus as a loving son, husband, father, brother, I was reminded of the following reading adapted from the Book of Sirach.
"Let us praise an illustrious man,
faithful to his family and friends, strong in his love.
At peace in his heart and his world,
he has left us his good name, and we recount his life of praiseworthy deeds.
A generous man his good works will never be forgotten.
Among his family and friends remains a rich inheritance born of him.
His name lives on from generation to generation.
We gather to sing his praises.
We proclaim his wisdom and love of life all our days."

We want you to know that we are proud to “claim” Marty, as an alumnus. Someone posted that Marty was a "defender of the most vulnerable," indeed Marty lived out the Viatorian mission. We will remember Marty and celebrate the fact that he continues to be a member of our community at our annual Alumni Memorial Mass, which will be celebrated in the Saint Viator Alumni Memorial Chapel, most likely on the first Sunday of November, 2025 at 10 am. Information about the Mass, will be available at SaintViator.com in the Alumni section in the spring of 2025.

As is our tradition, in October 2025 we will order a plaque with Marty's name to prayerfully honor him, along with other deceased alumni from Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary, on a wall in the chapel. Also, Marty's name will be listed in the "In Memoriam" section of our next issue of our news magazine, A Lion for Life.

May God’s promise that life is changed, not ended, comfort you!
May the knowledge that Marty lives on in your goodness give you peace and hope!

Take care and God bless you with those gifts you most need!

Judith Wampach Amberg
Saint Viator High School Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus

A heartfelt sympathy to the Kelley family, Marty´s wife, daughters and friends for the loss of Marty. Thinking of you and wishing you peace and comfort as you remember Marty and the times you shared together.
Nan Buchenot Melligan

I knew Marty from our days together in law school. I was so pleased for him when he made it to the bench. As expected, Marty did the job and then some. So sad to hear of his passing, he cannot be replaced.

Marty always had a smile on his face and handled his health difficulties with dignity and grace. He was both kind and funny. I will miss him greatly

Judge Thomas Kelley and Family
I was so sad to hear about your loss. Judge Marty Kelley always had a smile on his face and a kind word.He will be greatly missed.

Judge Thomas Kelley and family,
I was so sad to hear about your loss. Judge Marty Kelley always had a smile on his face and a kind word. He will be greatly missed. RIP Judge

Dear Kelley Family,
My heart aches. Please accept my sincerest condolences for the loss of Marty. May God bring comfort to your grief through the memories of the love, laughter and joy that you shared over the years. Pat, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God be with all of you.
Love,
Gerry Buchenot

Dear Mary,

I was very sad to hear of Marty's passing this afternoon, if we had know sooner we would have come to pay our respects.
I and my two friends new Marty and You from sitting across the bar at the Village Tavern and making conversation. I always enjoyed talking with Marty he was a real pleasure, he will be missed by many but we most of all.
God Bless Mary and may Marty get to heaven long before the devil even knows he is gone.

Marty was an amazing man and defender of the most vulnerable. He will be missed. May he rest forever in the loving arms of Jesus and may our Good Lord wrap his loving arms around Marty's family & friends in the difficult time. Juli & Ron Tragasz

Dear Mrs. Kelley and Families

We were saddened to hear the news of Marty´s passing.

With our deepest sympathies to all of you,

My heart and prayers go out to Judge Kelly and his family during this hard time. I pray the Lord brings you comfort knowing that you will see him again. May the heavenly Father keep you in his loving grace!

Our Hearts are broken for the Loss of Beloved Marty to his daughters, Clare and Colleen, his Mom, all his brothers and sister and family and friends. We remember so many wonderful times celebrating with the Shannon Rovers with Marty and his brother Tom. Marty was always great fun at our Annual Summer BBQ's! The bond shared by Tom and Marty was so special and it was so wonderful to share in on their laughter and friendship. Marty always had a smile for everyone and a twinkle in his eyes. We know Marty carried all the love he shared with him to Heaven!

Marty will always be thought of as a truly a good man that tried to do the right thing. He was gentle and kind and firm when he needed to be.

I met Marty in the office years ago, he was twelve. Guess he was the newest addition to Team Kelley (Kelley, Kelley & Kelley.)
I thought what a remarkable young man, cheerful, kind, fun to be around.
As the years past, I´d see Marty in the office working with his Dad and brothers. He didn´t change, always cheerful, had a smile on his face, the type of guy you wanted to be around.
I was so happy when he made to the bench, "The Honorable Martin C. Kelley" knowing he´d treat people with kindness, a virtue often lacking in others.
I know the Kelleys are grieving the loss, the loss of a Great Guy!
My heart and prayers go out to the family especially his daughters, Clare, Colleen and his mother, Mrs. Patricia Kelley.
I pray that God grant them all peace.
Tony Conniff

We all continue in prayers for the entire family Hon Judge Martin Kelley.
A warm pleasant judicial professional many connected with throughout their careers.
God is our refuge and yours always.

Marty was not only an outstanding Judge, he had a kind, gentle sole. Marty loved to laugh and when he did, it was a full, hearty laugh, that filled the room and made others laugh with him. He was helpful, especially to young lawyers who appeared before him and was always ready to give assistance, when needed. In all the years that I knew Marty, I never heard him say a bad word about another person. Marty was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Dear Members of the Kelley Family,

There are no words for such an unimaginable loss. We have known the Kelley family for over 60 years.

Have faith that Marty is on a wondrous journey to reap his just rewards. His was a good and blessed life and the happiness and joy that he brought to many will live on in his memory.

Marty would not want us sitting around grieving but rather celebrating the wonderful life he led; the pride he had in his family; the success of his career; and his faith in God.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.

With very deepest and sincere sympathy,

Steve Buchenot

My condolences to Marty's daughters, wife and the entire Kelley family. I first met Marty when he got elected Judge. Actually I met Marty through his brother, Tom. Marty was a kind and gentle man. Marty had a great smile which is the way he responded to much of of our conversations when we were out in the Daley Plaza. I also got to spend time with Marty during his first Judicial Education Coference and to know him better. Marty was not only kind, but also respectful to everyone. He was a true gentleman. He will be missed by all, but at least he will live on in our memories. I'm sorry for your loss.

My condolences to Judge Kelley's family. I've appeared before him dozens of times in his service as a Judge and found him to be fair, trustworthy, and caring. I'm grieved to hear of his passing.

Marty and I met in 2014 when I was assigned to the Rolling Meadows courthouse. Marty went out of his way to make me feel welcome. It turned we had a lot in common - West side Irish roots, fathers who went to Fenwick, daughters around the same age, appreciation for fine dining, and we were at the same stations in life. We quickly became friends and part of a small group that regularly went to lunch. I never heard Marty say a bad word about anyone. Despite his physical difficulties, he never once complained - even at the end when he clearly was struggling. Marty will be missed.

When I was elected as a Cook County Circuit Court judge in 2004, it was one of life's blessings to be in the same class as Judge Thomas J. Kelley with whom I became great friends. Although I'm a South Sider and the Kelleys were West Siders, the Kelley family felt like lifelong friends very quickly and I was always happy to be around them all. One can imagine the joy and pride that Tom radiated when Marty was also elected Judge some years after us, and the brothers were able to share another great bond and journey together. Marty was a thoughtful, diligent, fair and deliberate judge and treated people with respect and patience. His faith, grace and perseverance in dealing with his health issues were admirable and inspiring, and leave us all with great respect for him as a judge, father and man. My condolences go out to his girls and to all of the Kelley family at this time of great loss.

Though gone too soon to all who knew him, our loss, we hope and pray, is or will soon be, Heaven's gain.

Marty was always such a kind and gentle man when his presence graced our Saturday morning prayer circle meetings. Despite mobility challenges and often inclement weather, in the wee Saturday morning hours, Marty consistently showed up whenever he could. He was always a great example to the rest of us as a man striving for sanctity.

Though likely smarter than almost everyone else in the group, Marty humbly and consistently held his tongue wishing to understand much more than to be understood.

Sincerest condolences to his loving family and friends. Miss him we do and will, consoled though we can be by the warm smile that so beautifully and so often lit up this great and honorable man's face.

My condolences to the family; Judge Kelley will be truly missed.

rest in piece Judge , will always remember our short but fun filled time and the smile on your face

Marty and I were fellow judges at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse. We visited with each other every day and our conversations ranged from the serious to the lighthearted, but never did a day go by when we wouldn´t laugh together.

Marty was a modest man with a quick wit. When Marty was briefly in a wheelchair (which he willed himself out of), Marty joked with me about turning it into a low rider that hopped and had lights. He told me, "That´s how I roll, Dawg!" and then burst out laughing.

His physical limitation was not the measure of this man - his faith, love of family and friends, work ethic and interests were limitless. I will miss you greatly, my friend.

Marty will always be remembered for his warm smile and great personality. Though I didn´t know him well, his kindness and vibrant energy left a lasting impression. He truly brought joy to those around him.

So sorry to learn of Marty´s passing. Just a true gentleman and all around great guy.

Kelley Family Amy & I send our condolences. Marty Gods Speed.
Mark Neubecker

Such a wonderful soul; RIP Marty

I was shocked to learn of Marty's passing. I met him at St. Huberts in the 4th grade. I will forever remember how kind he was and his laughter. I remembered even when we didn't have to wear our uniforms he would come to school in a suit and said I am going to be a lawyer some day... and he was and so much more. Rest easy my friend. Much love to you and your family.

Marty was a great friend starting at St. Hubert school & a fabulous brother-in-law. I´ll miss his humor and friendship. Lucy Ziccardi Kelley

Shocked and saddened to hear about Marty. We had some memorable times! From flying furniture in East Lansing to finding fun/cocktails in various locales, Marty was always fun loving, gregarious and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kelley family-and all of his close friends.