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Jefferson Township resident Jack Kelly is quite well known all around town and throughout Morris County.
And rightly so as he has been an active community leader for over five decades; and for the past 20 years, he has
been the meticulous administrative director coordinating every facet of Jefferson Township Day. And for 20 years,
Jack has worn a straw hat to every annual celebration making him always easily recognizable during the day and
evening events by those who work alongside him. Jack has worked tirelessly to make each Jefferson Township Day a
memorable day for all, year after year, after year. However, this event is the last one that Jack is orchestrating
as he is retiring from his position as chairman of the Jefferson Arts Committee, hoping to turn the reins over to
someone else.
Jack has constantly strived to make Jefferson Township a place to celebrate life. Over the years, he was
influential in the formation of many organizations including Jefferson Township Fire Company No. I serving as a
Chief, Exempt Fireman, and Jefferson Township Fire Marshall; the Milton First Aid Squad serving as a Captain; a
Charter member of the Optimist Club; the President and Producer of the Jefferson Highlights Community Television
Committee; Chairman of the Jefferson Arts Committee and overseeing its sub-committees including the Jefferson
Township Community Band, the Jefferson Township Community Chorus, the Jefferson Township Community Players, and the
Jefferson Township Gazebo Committee as well as the Jefferson Township Bicentennial Committee, and The Moving Vietnam
Wall Committee. He has served on the Jefferson Township Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, was President of the
Board of Trustees of the Jefferson Township Library, served as Regional Coordinator of the Morris County Citizens
for Open Space, was elected President of the Morris County Parks Commission, and was Chairperson of the Jefferson
Township Cable TV Franchise Committee. Because of his continuous efforts on behalf of the township, Mayor Russell
Felter named him Jefferson Township’s first “Citizen of the Year” in 2000 and subsequently named the annual award
after him since Jack so exemplifies what citizenship and community service mean.
Due to his dedication to the Diocese of Paterson’s Department of Person’s with Disabilities since 1973, Jack was
named their “Man of the Year” in 2002 in recognition of serving on their Board of Trustees, chairing the Weigand Farm
Golf Classic for over 30 years, and serving as Chairperson of the Department’s Bike Tour. In 2004, a street at the
Weigand Farms facility on Weldon Road was named after him – Kelly Way.
Jack’s boundless energy, his unending visions for tomorrow, and his unparalleled commitment to his community are
reasons why it is only fitting that he should forever be a part of Jefferson Township’s history – past, present, and
future. While his day-to-day presence will be greatly missed by the members of the Jefferson Arts Committee, we know
he will be lurking somewhere behind the scenes offering his ideas and guidance.
Jack’s original straw hat, although a bit frayed and worn, was placed in the Bicentennial time capsule in 2004 and
will serve as a keepsake representing one humble man who really made a difference in the lives of others.
To that end, the Jefferson Arts Committee members who are present on this stage, in front of this stage, and
elsewhere on the field working at their various stations salute the man we have and always will admire and respect –
a true gentlemen, a humble man, an inspiration to all around him, and an outstanding citizen. We’re sure Jack will
continue to somehow be a driving force in many township endeavors, and his legacy will live on forever in Jefferson
Township. Our hats are ON to you, Jack Kelly as we are indeed proud to be members of The Jack Pack!
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