JEROME (JERRY) KELLEY

A True Vermont Abenaki, Jerry Kelley has passed over. He was a true friend to The Clan of The Hawk and to Chief Lone Cloud. As a long time War Chief of The Clan of the Hawk, he gave freely of his time to help all in the true native way. Jerry and the Chief spent many long days driving to schools all over Vermont, New Hampshire and the Province of Quebec to bring the Native Teachings to school children everywhere. He was a proud man and truly proud of his native ancestry. His guidance to the Chief, The Clan of The Hawk and to anyone who asked for the truth, got it. He will truly be remembered by all in the Native Community as well as his family. The Clan of The Hawk and our Chief will never forget this outstanding individual.

He graduated from High School at age 17 and attempted to join the Marines the day after Pearl Harbor, but he was turned down because of his age and he didn't have his parent's permission. Determined to enlist, he jumped a train headed to Montreal and joined the Canadian Army. He was assigned to the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Regiment and shipped to England. After the invasion of Europe in 1945 Jerry returned to Vermont and enrolled in the University of Vermont. He married Nancy Fitzgerald of Brattleboro and they had four children. He worked in New York City as an advertising executive, traveling back and forth to Vermont. He loved fishing, hunting and skiing and was a prolific writer. He was published in Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Reader's Digest, True and numerous other magazines. He returned to Vermont and became Deputy Commissioner of  Agriculture under both Governor Richard Snelling and Governor Howard Dean.