1942 -1945
HISTORY
Joseph James Kelly was born in Buffalo
on July 5, 1897, the son of James W. Kelly, a local Democratic
politician, and life-time West Side resident. His father
was the founder of the American Body Company, which manufactured
automobile bodies for the Thomas and Pierce-Arrow cars.
He was also one of the original advocates of a bridge across
the Niagara River to Canada. In addition, he was the Democratic
boss of the West Side.
Kelly attended parochial schools, Annunciation High
School and St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, graduating
around 1914 or 1915.
His father was a personal friend of Mayor's J. N.
Adam and Louis Fuhrmann
Together with his father, they made many trips to Mayor
Adam
's office. At one of these such meetings, Adam asked the
young Kelly: "Well, young fellow, do you want to be
mayor some day?"
Kelly replied, "No, sir. I want to be a policeman."
"My father was really grand to me. He used to
take me all over the city with him and introduce me to the
political leaders. One of my earliest recollections is of
Dad driving a horse and carriage during the celebration
of Mayor Adam
's election.
"As I grew up and began to take a real interest
in politics, my father explained the ins and outs, and he
certainly knew them. From him, I got my liking for politics
and for meeting people."
He served with a training unit in World War I
He then took a pre-legal course at Manhattan College in
New York for about one year.
He then entered the University of Buffalo
Law School, graduating in 1920. He was elected president of
the Law School Class of 1921. The 1921 yearbook had the
following statement under his picture:
"Meet Buffalo
's future mayor. Joe, when you are elected mayor, do not
forget your starving classmates who elected you president
in 1921."
He was admitted to the bar and joined the law firm
of Locke, Babcock, Spratt and Hollister that same year,
as a clerk.
In 1924, Kelly formed a partnership with Robert E.
Miller, which lasted until 1931.
In 1931, District Attorney Walter C. Newcomb asked
him to be an assistant district attorney. He spent the next
two years as a trial lawyer.
Kelly was endorsed by the Democratic party
in 1933 for City Court.
"I never asked for the job. But I thought a
lot of (City Court Judge) Harry Zimmer, who was to be my
running mate, and I decided to make a try for it."
One of his opponents during the primary was Judge
Hillery, also one of Mr. Newcomb's assistants. One of Kelly's
campaign ideas included the establishing of a cafeteria
court.
"To attempt to see a court like that established
is my major hobby, besides trying to intercede with the
mayor on behalf of job-seekers. I think a 'cafeteria' court
is the only modern and sensible method of handling trivial
traffic violators. The system seems to work in other cities.
"I'm sure it would appeal to the fair sex. I've
noticed time and again how women drivers hate to appear
in court!"
He also said that he thought the depression resulted
in more work for the Domestic Relations court than ever
before. Lack of employment played a large part in these
problems.
"Because of the terrible conditions of the past
few years, the judges take into consideration the fact that
many people hauled before the court today would never be
there in boom times.
"I don't think there are as many liquor violations
as there used to be when I was in the district attorney's
office. That's probably because repeal liquor is better
and doesn't affect persons half as violently as the old
moonshine."
Kelly won the nomination by 10,000 votes and went
on to win the election to City Court.
"When I was elected I studied 'cafeteria courts'
in the few cities where it had been tried and then made
the recommendation to the Council. It was referred to the
legislation committee, which turned it down at first.
"The chief objection seemed to be that 'cafeteria
court' abolished the actual appearance in court.
"I asked for a re-hearing and this time, among
other things, I explained that many good drivers get summonses
and that their appearances do them more harm in time lost
than they do in lessons gained."
It was subsequently passed by the Common Council
"In City Court, I was also a great believer
in probation. Probation has been strongly criticized, but
the public hears about the one bad case and not about the
99 good ones.
"I believe in probation because I know that
our experienced probation officers have a great influence
for good on the young person's mind. Many, many youngsters
have been saved from the stigma of going to jail and have
gone straight on probation."
Kelly was approached by some Democrats to run for
mayor in 1937, but he wanted to stay on the bench.
In 1940 he was once again brought to the forefront.
Democratic County Chairman Paul E. Fitzpatrick conducted
a postcard poll of the 876 committeemen in the city. Although
the results were never released, it was generally known
that Judge's Hillery and Kelly received the most votes.
Hillery refused to run and threw his support behind
Kelly. With three other candidates running, the executive
committee endorsed Kelly, who was the best candidate, with
fewest weaknesses.
Judge Hillery was a loyal Kelly supporter and is
credited with getting union support. C. V. "Mike"
Curry, a veteran newsman, drew up most of Kelly's platform.
The primaries were held on September 16, 1941. Kelly
defeated former Mayor Frank Schwab, who was running as an
independent, 22,983 to 12,983. William P. Fisher
won the Republican nomination by defeating Schwab who was also
running on the Republican ticket, and Judge Patrick J. Keeler
and George Weckerle, 22,646 to 8,795 to 4,708 to 3,919.
Days before the election he stated: "It's getting
so that when I see three people gathered together I want
to make a speech."
LIFE AS A MAYOR
The election was held on November 5, 1941. Though
a close race, Kelly defeated William Fisher 101,176 to 96,982,
with 4,901 blank votes. Kelly received 7,189 votes from
his endorsement by the American Labor Party, and the rest
were on the Democratic line.
On December 31, 1941 Kelly took the oath of office,
so the city would not be without a mayor from midnight until
his inauguration the next day.
Mayor Kelly
delivered his Inaugural Address
before the Common Council
on January 1, 1942. It was broadcast by WBEN radio
"Members of the Common Council
, Fellow Citizens:
"I stand here today as the elected chief executive
of one of the most vital defense centers in this entire
war-torn world.
"I fully realize I face the hardest task any
mayor of this cosmopolitan and industrial city ever faced.
"My fellow citizens have placed a grave responsibility
upon me. I accept that responsibility.
"I was elected to lead. I shall lead.
"National defense is our first duty. Buffalo
must not lag.
"We are fighting for our lives, our freedom,
and our right to pursue happiness. It is going to be a long,
hard fight. Buffalo
is playing a major role in the devastating struggle and will
play a major role in achieving a certain victory.
"It is apparent, therefore, that defense of
this vital area transcends every other immediate municipal
problem.
"The efforts of the Buffalo
Defense Council
loom large in our daily lives. The council now is under the
direction of able, patriotic citizens. They have done an
excellent job. At my request, they have agreed to carry
on.
"I do think, however, that the efforts of the
various defense units along the Niagara Frontier should
be coordinated. Certainly, power and industry along the
Frontier are so co-related that a coordinated defense setup
will prove far more practical than several independent operating
units.
"It is my belief that such a setup should be
headed by an efficient, well paid coordinator.
"I will always be mindful of the fact that ours
is a one-for-all and all-for-one effort, regardless of party,
race, creed or color.
"I also pledge I will do all I can to further
cement the friendly relations as existing between industry
and labor in the Buffalo
area. The two groups have speeded defense in the area and have
set an example that has been praised in many other sections
of the country.
"So much for defense.
"I now turn to my appointments and to my campaign
pledges.
"I am a firm believer in the two-party system
of government, and in party responsibility.
"I was elected as a Democrat. With some exceptions
I have named Democrats to office.
"I accept full responsibility for my appointments.
I, in turn, am answerable for those appointments to the
citizens of Buffalo
"I now turn to the Democratic platform on which
I sought office. I still stand on that document in its entirety.
"It is my hope that the desired low tax rate
will be achieved during the trying postwar period when it
will be most appreciated.
"I pledge to work for a competent city planning
group with power to plan and effect, consistent with the
powers of the Council, a long-range program of city development.
The power of appointment should be vested in the chief executive.
"The board, in turn, should be given power to
appoint a planning director.
"The street railway
company is reaping a golden harvest of tokens because of the
industrial boom. A still further increase in business is
in sight as a result of private car tire and gasoline restrictions.
There seems to be no good financial reason why the railway
company cannot put the reduced student fare into operation
without court action. I can conceive of no better good-will
move on the part of the company.
"I pledged I would join in the effort to enact
a plan to reduce the killing and maiming of our children
and adults on the city streets and to smooth out and facilitate
the movement of traffic. I further pledged to cooperate
in every consistent way with the recently appointed traffic
engineer. I renew that pledge.
"I will act immediately on any remedial traffic
legislation presented for my signature.
"I endorse the program of the State and Municipal
Civil Service
Commissions to put Civil Service on a merit basis. I renew that
endorsement.
"I renew that pledge to join in the true fight
for improvements in bus and trolley
service and for the removal of used tracks.
"I will fight to obtain for Buffalo
all possible funds from the Federal Government. If I learn there
is money available, I will be in Washington seeking Buffalo
's share.
"I urge you to join me in establishing Buffalo
as a municipality ready and willing to cooperate at all times
with federal officials. I believe such cooperation will
pay dividends in those post-war days when we are seeking
federal funds to carry out our comprehensive plan for waterfront
development
and other civic improvements.
"I reiterate my promise to work (for a) program
to take up the slack in industry in the postwar era. This
great industrial center is bound to be affected greatly.
"I will approve any legislation designed to
dovetail the efforts of the Buffalo
Defense Council
with those of federal agencies, particularly legislation conceived
to prevent abnormal increases in food and rent prices.
"I am neither a financial wizard, nor a figure
juggler. I probably will not get as much credit for my attempt
to strengthen the city's financial position as I would if
I produced a low tax levy, even if that levy was to be produced
through legerdemain.
"I will cheerfully leave the low tax levy to
my successor or to his successor.
"If I can leave office, knowing I have done
an honest job -
"If I can leave office knowing I have played
a part in making the streets safe for our children -
"If I can leave knowing I have accomplished
much of what I started out to do -
"If I can leave knowing that it was during my
administration that Buffalo
-made planes and Buffalo
-made weapons played the leading role in avenging Pearl
Harbor, Wake and Guam -
"If I can leave office knowing that the reign
of tyranny has been brought to an end and church bells once
again are tolling "Peace on earth, good will toward
men" -
"Then I will be a supremely happy man."
"Simplicity" marked the ceremony in the
Mayor's office that followed the speech. Kelly felt "that
the seriousness of the times does not call for any frills."
Mayor Kelly
submitted his second Annual Message to the Common Council
on January 5, 1943, which was read by the city clerk.
"On this, the first meeting of Your Honorable
Body for the New Year, 1943, I desire to give account of
my stewardship as Mayor of this community.
"The thought uppermost in all of our minds,
I am sure, has been the proper handling of all public business
in such a manner as would reflect credit upon this city,
in this our first year of war.
"At the time when I took office a year ago,
it will be recalled, this present War had just started and
there existed in this City a Defense Council which was composed
of very able and patriotic men, citizens of all parties.
...This Defense Council was abolished and pursuant to the
power vested in me by the state War Acts of 1942, I appointed
a War Council headed by one of our most distinguished citizens
and composed of leading representatives of all parties and
activities in this City.
"I want to commend this War Council and all
its various committees for the splendid work performed by
them. Its task has been tremendous and the work that has
been accomplished by it and its thousands of volunteers
makes Buffalo
stand out as one of the leading cities in this country.
"The wonderful manner in which all city departments
have cooperated in the civilian-protection work has surpassed
my fondest expectations and has convinced me that a Mayor
who, in peace-time is the head of his government, would
be shirking his responsibility if, during a period of war,
he placed that responsibility upon some other individual.
"I want to express my thanks and the thanks,
I know, of the people of this Community, to the many thousands
of air raid wardens, auxiliary police
and auxiliary firemen, and the many other volunteer agencies.
"These unsung heroes of the home front are performing
an outstanding patriotic service in this fight for human
rights and democracy.
"I am also assured that complete plans are being
formulated by our Planning Commission for the post war reconstruction
period. When victory comes we must be ready to proceed with
public work in order that the evils of the transition period
which we experienced after the last War shall not again
be visited upon us.
"This year witnessed an extension of the merit
system to include over 90 percent of all employees of the
City of Buffalo
"I would have liked to have been able to recommend...some
adjustment...to meet the mounting cost of living, but you
know as well as I know that the city is at the present time
without funds to provide this extra compensation, even though
we agree on the worthiness and merit of it.
"I felt and I feel now that the task is ours
and is not one that through liberal refunding of bonds should
be placed upon the next generation.
"Because of this record-breaking debt-payment,
the budget which I submitted...last year carried the highest
tax rate ever known to the City of Buffalo
, yet the amount set aside in the budget for the operation
of government was 81 cents less than during the previous
year.
"By meeting the (debt) problem courageously,
we have increased our debt margin $6,000,000 net, despite
the loss of $1,000,000 due to a decline in the average assessed
valuation.
"To you the members of the Common Council
, I want to express my appreciation for your thorough-going
and full cooperation in the performance of the duties imposed
upon us both by the necessities of the war."
One of the war measures that was adopted during 1943
was the reduction in newsprint. Newspapers were only allowed
to print a limited number of copies and were limited on
the number of pages. This made for a reduced number of copies,
and shorter stories in the press.
Kelly was appointed by President Roosevelt as state
chairman of the National Infantile Paralysis fund drive
in 1943.
Mayor Kelly
delivered his third Annual Message to the Council on January
4, 1944.
"We have now passed through two years of war
and a number of the problems which we anticipated did not
occur; those which confronted us daily were met, I think
successfully, through the earnest cooperation of your honorable
body and this office.
"As was said many years ago by one of our forefathers:
'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,' and until the
enemy has been completely routed, we must maintain our guards
and not allow over-optimism to make us careless. I assure
you and the people of this city that as far as lies within
my power there will be no letup in the activities of either
the War Council or the Buffalo
Office of Civilian Protection.
"It is very difficult in these critical times
to make any specific recommendations for the future guidance
of our city. But I cannot stress too strongly the need for
a definite plan to convert our municipality from a war-time
to a peacetime basis.
"It is reported that more than 100,000 persons
are employed in our airplane and kindred industries alone.
"Our city is known today as the greatest manufacturer
of fighting planes in the world. This is something of a
hollow boast unless we are prepared to take advantage of
our present positions and make Buffalo
the world center of airplane production in time of peace.
"I earnestly recommend, therefore, that Your
Honorable Body give serious thought to the possibility of
obtaining Government assistance in converting our big airplane
plants to peacetime uses.
"One of the major problems that confronted us
last year, and still confronts us, is the maintenance of
the health of the people of this community.
"The growth of the city has been accompanied
with a serious increase in the number of certain communicable
diseases.
"About a month ago, I exercised the power vested
in me by statute and appointed an Advisory Board of Health.
"During the past few years, great numbers of
Negroes have come to live and work in Buffalo
At the present time our Negro population is approximately
30,000.
"In addition to appointing members of the Negro
race to office, I have also appointed a committee on community
relations.
"The increasing number of crimes among the youth
of our city is a matter of grave concern. Buffalo
has been specially favored in that juvenile delinquency
, while presenting a problem, is not as serious here as
it is in other war industrial areas. In order to prevent
this problem from becoming greater, I recommend...that consideration
be given to the change of the present ordinances so that
more policewomen may be appointed.
"The plan for the absorption of the duties of
vacant positions by employees similarly engaged, and the
elimination of unnecessary positions...continues to pay
substantial dividends in savings to the taxpayers. To date
over 1,000 positions are unfilled, temporarily or permanently,
at an annual saving of well over $1,000,000.
"I again wish to impress on you the necessity
of positive action in regard to the wartime bonus for city
employees.
"I am frank to state that, in my opinion, there
is danger of a over emphasis of public works as a solution
to possible postwar employment.
"I am happy to report that we are making substantial
and satisfactory progress in our policy of debt reduction.
"Some time ago I recommended to Your Honorable
Body that our airport
should be sold or turned over to the United States Army. I do
not, and did not feel that the city was justified in spending
the great sums of our Buffalo
taxpayers' money which were annually expended for maintenance
of this airport
"It is therefore a great satisfaction to report
that these negotiations are being successfully completed
and that the city will be relieved of the great burden of
snow and ice removal for the airport
"I have recently been advised by the president
of the International Railway Company
that the Office of Defense Transportation has requested plans
to be filed which would show a ten, twenty and thirty per
cent cut in service of the I. R. C. in the city of Buffalo
"Your Honorable Body will recall that a serious
curtailment of service was made by the I.R.C. within the
last year.
"I protested personally this cut with Mr. Joseph
B. Eastman, head of the O.D.T.
"I have written again to Mr. Eastman calling
his attention to our situation in a critical war area and
requested that no further cuts be made by the federal government
in the service rendered by the I.R.C., but that, if possible,
full service be restored.
"The increasing number of traffic fatalities
in this city is indeed alarming. According to the latest
available figures, there has been a substantial decrease
in the number of accidents but a startling increase in the
number of fatalities."
On June 9, 1944 State Democratic leaders were considering
Kelly as a successor to resigned Chairman James A. Farley.
There was a strong movement for a person from the heavily
Republican area of Western New York.
When the person was chosen after July 11, Kelly was
not the one.
January 2, 1945 brought to Buffalo
what was termed the worst storm in the city's history. "Winds
of gale proportions gathered up steadily-falling snow to
form a virtually impenetrable cloud, and disrupt all traffic
and transportation."
On January 9, 1945, Mayor Kelly
delivered the final Annual Message of his term.
"...In all matters pertaining to the war effort
I must state that both the executive and the legislative
departments have fully cooperated and demonstrated the great
rule of American democracy, that in periods of emergency
the People act together regardless of partisanship.
"The loyalty and patriotism of the people of
this city have been demonstrated conclusively in the productivity
of our factories, the labor of our inhabitants and the investments
in War Bonds.
"The City of Buffalo
stands out as one of the leading cities in the country in the
production of war materials.
"In times of stress similar to that which we
are experiencing in this most terrible of all wars, it is
difficult if not impossible to forecast plans for the future
development of our community.
"I have appointed and there is functioning a
committee on post war activities. With the cooperation of
Your Honorable Body plans are now being made which we trust
will result in the employment of thousands upon the termination
of this awful conflict.
"We must emphasize projects which will increase
the efficiency and the effectiveness of the municipal plant
and give impetus to the economic life of the community and
the full development of the natural potentialities of this
area. I have in mind those projects that will accelerate
the movement of traffic, for example, a comprehensive and
mature plan for the widening and extension of streets, modernization
of facilities for the collection of ashes and garbage, the
removal of snow and cleaning and lighting of our streets
and public places.
"During these chaotic and trying times the Municipal
Airport has been and is one governmental function almost
completely in the war effort.
"I note that the efforts of this city through
all its various branches and activities to prevent the passage
of the St. Lawrence Seaway
Development in the United States Senate, have prevailed and
that so far the future of Buffalo
as the greatest inland port of the world will again be maintained.
...We must constantly and continuously bend all our efforts
to prevent what we in Buffalo
consider the destruction of our city.
"...The Governor of this State in his annual message
to the Legislature expresses approval of the St. Lawrence
Seaway
, in direct contrast to the position taken by Your Honorable
Body, myself and the entire business interests of the Niagara
Frontier.
"The poliomyelitis epidemic which gripped the
city during the summer was indeed deplorable. ...Everything
is being done that can possibly be done to study the probable
causes and to prevent a recurrence of this epidemic.
"The year just ended brought about a marked
decrease in automobile accidents. Seventeen of these fatalities
involved pedestrians over the age of 70, while an additional
11 involved pedestrians between the ages of 61 and 70.
"I am deeply disturbed by the recommendation
of the Governor...that the tremendous surplus now accruing
to the State from excessive revenues be frozen in its entirety
into a fund for postwar construction of State roads and
State buildings, including cultural institutions. This means
that the tremendous surplus of $313,000,000 will not be
available to the people of this State until after the war
is over.
"I note, however, that the Governor in his message
to the State Legislature recommends an increase in salaries
to all the State employees. This I think is a highly commendable
recommendation, and I demand in behalf of the people of
this city that the opportunity be provided Your Honorable
Body and myself to raise the salaries of the city employees
of Buffalo
to a level consistent with the present high living costs.
"This can be done providing a portion of the
tremendous surplus is divided in some equitable manner...among
the various cities in this state.
"There were five tin can collections during
the year...we gathered more than 868 tons of waste tin,
enabling us to ship 75 carloads to de-tinning plants for
salvage.
"There were three waste paper collections, in
which we gathered more than 1,600 tons of waste paper, and
there was one clothing collection which netted thousands
of usable garments for the relief of the impoverished and
war-stricken needy in the combat areas.
"The city government participated actively in
every war bond campaign. ...During the three war loan campaigns
of the calendar year 1944, more than $313,000,000 was raised
against a quota of approximately $265,000,000.
"At the close of the year 1944, a total of 737
city employees were in military service, of whom 10 have
made the supreme sacrifice.
"During the past three years I feel that we
have achieved much of importance. It has been possible to
provide slight salary adjustments for city employees.
"The city as a whole is in the full flush of
a war time prosperity. Payrolls in industry have increased
tremendously and unemployment
is at a minimum. ...Buffalo
has made a tremendous contribution to the war effort. However,
we must be ever alert to the problems which will arise with
the advent of peace. We must be prepared to do our full
share in the assimilation of the service men and women of
Buffalo
back into the peace time economy.
"...If some of us have at times been too complacent,
the bitter experiences on the battlefronts in Europe during
the last few weeks should serve to make us all realize that
the war is not yet over.
"May the New Year herald a World at Peace."
On May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered to the Allies.
On August 6, 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped
on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later the last atomic bomb
was dropped, this time on Nagasaki, Japan. On August 14,
Japan surrendeed to the Allies, ending World War II
The peace treaty was signed on September 2 aboard the battleship
Missouri.
Mayor Kelly
wrote what was probably the most important piece of his term,
on August 11, 1945.
"PROCLAMATION
"WHEREAS the surrender of Japan has brought
World War II
to a victorious conclusion for America and her brave Allies,
and
"WHEREAS we have once again proved ourselves
great in war, and the power, not only of our arms but of
a just cause, has triumphed over the forces of evil, and
"WHEREAS because of this victory we, and our
Allies, are now charged with the stern responsibility of
maintaining world peace, and
"WHEREAS, this is our duty, not alone to the
brave men and women who have given their lives, but also
to civilization as a whole,
"NOW, THEREFORE, I JOSEPH J. KELLY, Mayor of Buffalo
, do hereby respectfully urge all the citizens of this city
to unite in prayerful Thanksgiving for Almighty God's blessings
and beseech His continued guidance.
"Joseph J. Kelly
, Mayor."
Mayor Kelly
made his last annual Christmas message on December 22, 1945,
discussing his four years in office.
"As I wish you all a Merry Christmas, I also
desire to say good-bye as your mayor for four years. My
term will end in a week and I can assure you I shall relinquish
my duties as your chief executive with regret. As I look
back, the one thing that keeps coming to my mind is the
friendly cooperation shown by Buffalonians toward my department
heads and myself.
"Except for the fact that extensive repairs,
which could not be made during the war, now must be made
to city buildings and equipment, the incoming mayor will
find the city government in excellent shape. I am sure Mr.
Dowd will bring to his duties a seriousness of purpose and
I ask that he receive from all Buffalonians the same cooperation
I had. Our chief aim should be to build a better city.
"This is the first Christmas of peace in five
years. It will be a Christmas of great rejoicing to thousands
of families reunited for the first time since September,
1940. We are happy for these families, but, at the same
time, we extend heartfelt sympathies to the families of
those young people who did not return or who returned with
injuries.
"This month has been the busiest in my administration,"
he stated, since he was finishing many last minute details.
His biggest accomplishment was cutting the city's
bonded indebtedness by over $38 million. He was thankful
that he did not receive many job seekers. There were few
jobless with the war plants in operation. Two activities
which kept much of his off work hours busy was the selling
of bonds and civilian defense measures. He even gave demonstrations
in fire fighting to volunteer fire
men.
Mayor Kelly
wasn't too sure what he would do when his term expired. "I'm
a lawyer by profession, so I suppose I'll open a law office
"When I leave the mayor's office, it will be
with genuine regret. These have been four great years. There
was a lot of hard work - and long hours - especially during
the war. But I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm very happy
to have had the honor of serving my hometown as mayor. And
I really am sorry that I have to leave the office."
Being a mayor during wartime brought about special
duties. "For instance, I had to greet personally, war
heroes, screen stars, visiting royalty and distinguished
visitors from all parts of the world. There were hundreds
of them. I can't even remember them all - there were big
shots and little shots."
After his term ended he returned to private life.
PERSONAL LIFE
At the time of his inauguration, Kelly was not married.
During his term he "couldn't find the time" for
marriage. But on March 7, 1949 he married Laura Campbell
Stephenson in Niagara Falls. They had no children. The Kelly's
lived at 152 Albany Street on the city's West Side.
On July 6, 1948 former Judge Kelly formally announced
the opening of a law practice with offices at 708 - 710
Morgan Building, at Niagara and Pearl Streets. With a group
of investors they purchased the building and he was to serve
as its general manager.
Kelly was employed by the Office of Price Stabilization
in 1950, as a legal consultant. The following year, he was
hired as a regular staff attorney-advisor specializing in
interpretations. In 1952 he was assigned to temporary congressional
liaison work.
He served as the local chairman of the Harriman-for-Governor
campaign in 1954.
Because of his campaign work, Kelly was sworn in
as deputy state comptroller on January 5, 1955. In that
position he was in charge of municipal affairs under Comptroller
Arthur Levitt. At this juncture, he moved to Albany, New
York.
In 1955, Kelly sold the Morgan Building to a Rochester
group headed by Robert Campagna.
On January 4, 1963, Kelly resigned his post as deputy
state comptroller, citing poor health as a reason. When
the Kelly's returned to Buffalo
, they lived at 132 Lexington Avenue, the home of Mrs. Kelly's
parents.
Judge Kelly was a member of the Knights of Columbus,
Elks, Eagles, Knights of Equity, Buffalo
Athletic Club
, the Variety Club, Cherry Hill Country Club in Ontario,
where he had a summer home, and the South Buffalo
post of the American Legion. He was also a former member of
the Erie County and New York State Bar Association's.
On Sunday, July 6, 1963 Joseph Kelly
died in Buffalo
General Hospital
, after a short illness.
Current Mayor, Chester Kowal
, ordered all city buildings to fly their flags at half-mast
on July 7, 1963 in his memory.
Kelly is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery
