Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kelly received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business in 1951 and was in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1953, serving as a gunnery officer.
He was a Master of the Jury Selection Board for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 1963 to 1964.
He was a Vice President of regulatory practices at American Water Works Company from 1977 to 1983.
[1] Kelly was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on June 21, 1983, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Emanuel Mac Troutman.
Kelly served in that capacity until his death, in Overbrook, a neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia.