Stephen Edward Kelly, 72, a longtime booster and employee of the City of Chicago and the son of former Mayor Edward J. Kelly, died Monday, Feb. 11, of cancer in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Mr. Kelly and his late brother and sister mastered the difficulties of living under the media spotlight long before anyone talked about such a spotlight. When his father was mayor, from 1933 to 1947, and afterward, Mr. Kelly’s every move was scrutinized by Chicago newspapers–from an appendectomy at age 10 to traffic citations as an adult. “He would talk about growing up being surrounded by bodyguards,” said his daughter, Maggie Crane. The attention never got in the way of him making his own mark on Chicago, friends and family said. As young as age 7, Mr. Kelly was speaking on the campaign trail for his father. After prep school, he graduated from Villanova Academy in Ojai, Calif., and Cornell University in New York. He also served two years in the U.S. Air Force. Back in Chicago, he started his career in advertising, then moved to helping direct special events for the city. Later, he worked for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. “He was the city’s best ambassador,” said longtime friend Betsy Sales. “He could not stop talking to people about how beautiful the city is and what a wonderful place it is to live.” From 1982 to 1997, Mr. Kelly was the public information officer for the Chicago Park District and a liaison to the annual Air and Water Show. He was particularly proud of his work in helping bring the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds to the annual event, said Sales. “It was his pride and joy.” Other survivors include his wife, Lucy Ann, and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 544 W. 31st St., Chicago. Mass will be said at 2 p.m. Friday in Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St.
