John J. McKelvey

John J. “Mac” McKelvey, 95, a proud Irishman of Berlin, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Coos County Nursing Home in Berlin after a period of declining health. John was born in Berlin, NH on January 12, 1930, the son of Charles E. and Kathleen (Hayes) McKelvey and had been a lifelong resident. Mr. McKelvey was a graduate of Berlin High School and served in the US Army during the Korean War. He married Pauline (Dupuis) McKelvey, and together they shared more than 60 years of marriage. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Kieran Church (now Good Shepherd Parish) serving in many roles including Eucharistic Minister, Director of St. Kieran Guest House, chairman of the St. Kieran centennial committee, and had served on the first parish council. Mr. McKelvey was a 4th Degree member of the Msgr. Patrick E. Walsh Assembly of the Knights of Columbus and served as membership director, and following the closure of St. Kieran Church, John was actively involved in the formation of St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and had served as Ward Clerk for the City of Berlin. Mac worked for the Brown Company and retired in 1992 after 40 years of service.

He is survived by a loving family: his daughter Maureen (McKelvey) Ramsey and husband Larry of Berlin; a son John G. McKelvey and wife Brenda of Bowdoin, ME; close friend Esther Gilbert of Berlin; grandchildren Kelly Fairfield, Caitlin Gallant and husband Shaun, Patrick McKelvey and wife Ashley, Jenny McKelvey, and Erik McKelvey and wife Michele; great-grandchildren: Macaila Onnen, Quinn McKelvey, Lillian McKelvey, Camden Gallant, Harper Gallant, and Wyatt Fairfield. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Pauline, sisters Louise Dube, Charlotte Fournier, Kathleen Garneau and Ann Marie Montgomery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 10am at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish, 345 Pleasant St., Berlin with interment following at St. Kieran Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2-5 PM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin. Donations in John's memory may be made to Coos County Nursing Home Activities Fund, PO Box 416, Berlin, NH 03570, or to the Good Shepherd Memorial Fund, c/o 151 Emery Street, Berlin, NH 03570.