Michael J. Kelly

Beloved husband of Rita Seegraber of Quincy. Devoted son of Dorothea (Rose) Kelly of Quincy, and the late Michael J. Kelly. Loving father of Michael J. Kelly of Quincy. Dear brother of Dorothea Hupprich of Walpole, Thomas F. Kelly of CA, and Joan M. Kelly of Quincy. Also survived by 5 nieces and 4 nephews.What everyone remembers and loved most about Michael was his quick Irish wit. He also was very stoic; he set an example of how to enjoy life to the fullest even when faced with the serious diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He scheduled his chemotherapy sessions so that he could best celebrate holidays and big events with family and friends. He met his illness with determination and dignity, never complaining about either symptoms or the serious side effects of cancer treatment.A talented athlete who lettered in both track and soccer at North Quincy High School, he attended Brandeis University on an athletic scholarship and graduated from Boston University Law School. His son Mike said that “the Chief” was extremely understanding and supportive of friends and family in their business and personal endeavors. While he encouraged them to be as hard working as he was in overcoming obstacles, he was always respectful of personal differences. Michael was a Quincy Youth Soccer coach in the late 1980’s. One of his longtime goals was to coach high school soccer, and after his initial cancer surgery he became “Coach Kelly”of the boys’ JV soccer team at Archbishop Williams in the fall of 2001.He was a master at Trivial Pursuit and captained the North Quincy High School graduates team in the annual family Thanksgiving Day challenge.Michael was such an avid reader that his librarian wife could barely keep him supplied with enough reading materials.His favorite hobby was fishing–from freezing fly lines at Walden Pond and Cape Cod ponds to idyllic conditions at a secret site on the coast of Maine.Michael also enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing at Bretton Woods and Jackson, NH.Michael was a terrific cook who took pride in his perfect roast beef and BBQ lamb. One of his goals was to cook the perfect barbecue spare ribs, experimenting with sauces from Texas and Kansas City, as well as concocting his own home-made sauces.One of Michael’s major pleasures was eating. He gave the greatest advice about not only fine but also fun dining. His favorites included lobster and shrimp at Legal Seafood, Catfish Dewey’s in Ft. Lauderdale, and Mr. B’s Bistro in New Orleans. Michael also loved Cheez-Its, which should be on the Kelly coat of arms. The Kelly Cheez-It gene runs true. Michael also enjoyed fine cigars and cognac.He loved to play cards and was one of the founders of the Wollaston Whist Convention (WWC) in bridge. From hearts to bridge to poker, especially Texas Hold ‘Em at Foxwoods and various casinos in Las Vegas, Michael enjoyed them all. He was also famous for wearing L.L. Bean red chamois shirts with two pockets.Most recently Michael worked as general counsel for the MA Board of Registration in Medicine. Before that he served as Executive Director of the Professional Liability Foundation, LTD. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the medical liability system through advocacy before the legislature, the judiciary and the public. From 1997 to 2000, he was a Partner in Hinkley, Allen & Snyder, Hinckley, Allen & Tringale Health Strategies, & Hinckley Allen Policy Management. He was the Director of Government Relations for the Massachusetts Medical Society from 1988-1997 and Associate Counsel for the Society from 1987 to 1994. In the early 80’s, Michael served as Executive Secretary and Associate Complaint Counsel for the MA Board of Registration in Medicine. He began his career in private practice in 1975 and was a member of the MA Bar Association and the American Health Lawyers Association. He is known as a great mind and innovator in the field of patient safety. Some highlights of his career include being a founding member of the MA Coalition for Prevention of Medical Error (a model now used across the country), inventing the Mandated Reporting Systems in Healthcare, Founding Director of the Professional Liability Foundation, drafting the statutory language for the Physician Profiling Initiative, drafting Chapter 351 (Medical Malpractice Reform Package) and helping to develop Peer Review (allowing Physicians to review each others medical cases with confidentiality). He will be remembered as a pioneer in patient safety and medical safety. His accomplishments have been referred to as “groundbreaking” by his peers and he is universally remembered for his kindness, compassion and as a “great friend of medicine”.Most of all, Michael wanted his life to be celebrated, not grieved. There will be a reception celebrating Michael’s life at the Neighborhood Club, 27 Glendale Rd., Quincy, on Thursday, March 25th from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Boston 25 Stuart St., 4th Floor Boston, MA 02116-4700 or Hospice of the South Shore, 100 Baystate Drive, P.O. Box 9060, Braintree, MA 02184