E. Stanley Kelliher

E. Stanley Kelliher age 79 years died in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on March 25, 1931; he was the son of the late Eugene Lynch and Mary T. (Driscoll) Kelliher. He graduated from Walpole High School with the class of 1949. He was a lifelong resident of Walpole, Massachusetts.

Mr. Kelliher joined the US Post Office Department in 1950 and worked in the East Walpole Post Office until his retirement in 1996. His career was interrupted by his service in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1954 as a Sergeant First Class, and had earned the Bronze Star. After being discharged he rejoined the Post Office in East Walpole. While working at the East Walpole Post Office, Mr. Kelliher took on many roles, he was the char man, a letter carrier, and a clerk. In 1983, he became the senior clerk, and from 1991 until his retirement he was responsible for the Post Office while the Postmaster was away. In addition from 1959-1996 he was the secretary-treasurer of the Letter Carriers #44921.

He also held many part time jobs, he worked in sales at the Boston Shoe Store in Norwood, Massachusetts, Endicott Johnson at the Walpole Mall, and the French Shriner in Norwood. Most recently he was working at the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home in Walpole, Massachusetts.

Mr. Kelliher held many civic responsibilities; in 1978 he served on the committee to purchase the Four Seasons Ice Arena for the Town of Walpole, from 1979-2009 he was a Town Meeting Representative, in 1979 he served on the committee to re-evaluate the policy setting standards for the Walpole School Department, and from 2001-2005 he served on the Town Report Committee. In addition in 1999 he was appointed to the Finance Committee by James Brady, where he served until 2009.

He was very active in the Walpole sports programs. In 1970 he was a referee for the Walpole Youth Hockey Program and coached the 1970 Babe Ruth League Mets. From 1970-1978 he was the Head Umpire for the Babe Ruth League, chairman of the Walpole Booster Club from 1975-1976, chairman for the 1976 Testimonial for the Walpole High School Super Bowl V Championship Banquet, and president of the Walpole Little League from 1979-1981.

Mr. Kelliher was a member of the Walpole Knights of Columbus, where he served as the Grand Knight from 1966-1967. From 1968-1971 he was the District Deputy of the Massachusetts State Council and in 1970 he became a member of the Bishop Minihan Fourth Degree. He was also a member of the Walpole VFW. He was a Eucharistic Minister Blessed Sacrament Church and in 2000 began bringing communion to the homebound.

Beloved husband of Elinor A. (Hale) Kelliher. Loving father of Zita M. Shea of Walpole, Michael P. Kelliher of Burke, VA, Timothy D. Kelliher of Walpole, and Kathleen A. Petersen of Bedford, NH. Cherished grandfather of Sheena and Joseph Shea, Kara, Neil, Matthew, and Erin Kelliher.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church East Street (Route 27) at Diamond Street Walpole on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 12:00 Noon. Visiting hours are Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from 4-8PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment will be in Saint Francis Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: Brain Tumor Research Fund c/o Brain Tumor Center Shapero 8th Floor Beth Israel Deaconess Center 330 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA 02215 or Friends of the Walpole Community Athletic Complex P.O. Box 15 East Walpole, MA 02032.