Kathleen Jermyn, Thomas' cousin, who died in Lockerbie on December 21, 1988 had spent the summer before with the Kelly family. She was very close with Thomas.
Queen Elizabeth II September 11 Memorial Garden
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Crescent Beach Park - Flagpole/Memorial for 9/11 Victims
Garrison Elementary School American Patriot Garden
New York Times Portraits of Grief
Everything about Thomas R. Kelly's life springs from his summers in Riverhead on Long Island. He spent all his vacations in a family bungalow there, riding his bike to the beach and swimming.
Eventually he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Fire Department, but his world continued to revolve around water and bike trails. He swam in the shark tank of a nearby aquarium. He went deep sea diving in Belize. After his divorce last year, he moved into a house around the corner from where his family had summered, and where his parents, Sue and Emmet, now live year-round.
When he was not swimming, he was biking, and on a 400-mile charity ride from New York to Boston last June he met Kate Zellner. The couple planned to pedal through Europe next summer to raise money for AIDS research. But instead their last bike ride was on Sept. 9, through all five New York boroughs. Because Ms. Zellner's pace was slower, Mr. Kelly waited for her at a bar, where he sat down next to another man named Thomas Kelly — also a firefighter — and they marveled that two Tom Kellys happened to be in the same place at the same time. Two days later, both Tom Kellys died at the World Trade Center.
I never knew Firefighter
I never knew Firefighter Thomas R. Kelly but have been inspired by his bravery and sacrifice he paid that day in 2001. I have a FDNY bracelet with his name on it that I wore for at least 2 years after 9/11 and still pull out and wear in the days before and after 9/11 every year. I have 2 beautiful babies that I will show the bracelet to when the time is right and I ll explain to them the sacrifice that Thomas Kelly and his brethren made that day. God Bless Thomas Kelly and all of the others who risk their lives to protect others. Never Forget.
Published by Randy Allen
I didn't know Thomas but I
I didn't know Thomas but I bet he would of made a good friend also I commend his bravery and his valiant service and my prayers go out to his family and I hope that we never forget the sacrifices they made. Never forget.
Posted by Ethan R. Robbins
25 Years
My name is Nicole Otting and I am a fifth grade teacher in Ohio. Yesterday, our entire district participated in a memorial walk for those lost on 9/11. We were asked to either climb stairs or walk a mile for each individual’s name we picked up. I was honored to walk with Thomas’ name on my shirt. Each lap I completed around the track I would say his name aloud.
When I got home I looked him up to learn more about him. Thomas “Tommy” Kelly’s name now has a permanent spot in my classroom. For 17 years I have been teaching my students about 9/11, the heroes, those who walked towards danger to save others. I am proud that now each year when I teach my students about this day, I can speak of him as well. It was my honor to walk for him and speak his name.
Posted by Nicole Otting
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