Shawn Kelly Obituary

Kenilworth Fire Dept. Captain, brilliant artist Shawn David Kelly, 52, died in his home in Elizabeth, NJ on October 19, 2021 after a brief illness. Shawn Kelly, 52, beloved son, father, uncle and friend, was born May 16, 1969 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Louis and Kathleen Kelly. He graduated from Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts in 1991 and began a successful career as an Art Director with several prominent New York City advertising agencies. He recently started his own photography business, Froghouse Pictures to pursue his dream of being a photographer. Shawn was also closely involved with the Kenilworth Fire Department since 2005, earning his Firefighter 1 and 2 certification. In the same year he obtained his New Jersey State EMT certification. While with the department he achieved the ranks of President, Lieutenant and Captain of the Department. Shawn is survived by his mother, Kathleen Kelly, brother and sister-in-law Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Kelly, his sister and brother-in-law Mr. & Mrs. Chris McGuinness, his daughter Paige S. Kelly and his son Aedan L. Kelly and his former spouse, Ginny Kelly. He is pre-deceased by his daughter Grace Kelly and his father Louis Kelly. Shawn was a brilliant artist, with an exceptional talent in photography and video. His irreverent style captured everything from the mundane to the surreal, always capturing the essence of his subject and the beauty of his landscapes. His passions in life were baseball, photography, fishing, golf and his children, who were his entire world. Friends and family are invited to attend visitation at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home from 4 to 8 on Friday, October 22nd. Mass will be held at Saint Genevieve in Elizabeth, NJ at 10 a.m. Saturday with a private cremation