Francis KELLY Obituary

Father Frank A true friend. Not too many priests are wine connoisseurs and very knowledgeable on the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses.As well as being on good terms with many trainers and drivers of standardbreds. The trips to - and from - the annual Kaikoura race meetings were a special highlight. Father Frank suff34ered from a throat complaint that was quite serious from time to time and on one occasion he asked me if I would fill in for him doing the sermon at the Sunday Mass. We discussed the readings and came up with a theme. I was happy to oblige but, at the last minute, he turned up for the service!!He insisted I go ahead under his watchful eye. It went well. Some time later - like a year or two - a parishioner said he never forgot the theme of my sermon! One Christmas Father Frank had me up alongside him on the altar and asked all the children to come forward and sit in front of us.I had a prepared talk on aspects of Christmas around the world. The children were extraordinarily attentive. Thank you, Father Frank, for those opportunities. May you rest in peace.(Peter Rosanowski Kaiapoi)

A wonderful man and an intimate member of a loving close knit family. Sincere condolences to Jim and Marie on the loss of a loved brother and brother in law and Stuart, Catherine and our three wonderful grandsons on the loss of a beloved uncle and great uncle