Kelly was born at Noble Hospital and Westfield has always been his city.  On a trip with the Betty Champion dance group, he was discovered and at nine years old started a career as an actor.  Performing for ten years as a member of Screen Actors Guild in many commercials, TV shows, and a TV movie.He grew up in the hill towns and from an early age was civic minded.  Kelly served as a volunteer fireman, a police officer, and was elected to the board of selectman for a three-year term.  Upon completing his term as a selectman, Kelly decided to join the military serving twenty years on active duty in the United States Army.