John A. Jack Kelly

John A. “Jack” Kelly was known first for his work as an investigative reporter and later as a man who cared for his family. Born November 30, 1943, Kelly found his voice in radio and television reporting, building a reputation for tenacity and hard-hitting stories in the Boston area. He worked in broadcast news at stations including WBZ radio and WNAC-TV (Channel 7), and had earned recognition for investigative pieces during a career that moved from local radio into television. Colleagues remembered him for pursuing stories that mattered to the community and for a reporting style that valued persistence and curiosity.

Away from journalism, Kelly was a husband and the father of four children. He had served in the U.S. Air Force early in his life, where he began working in radio, and later settled with his family in Massachusetts. Those who knew him describe a man whose professional energy was matched by his role at home — someone who balanced a demanding public career with responsibilities to his family.

In late June 1978, Kelly was working as the night manager at the Blackfriars Pub in downtown Boston. He died on June 28, 1978, at age 34. His death has been the subject of longstanding public interest because the crime that claimed his life also took four others and was never fully resolved in a way that satisfied the family and community. His sister and relatives continued to speak of the loss and its lasting impact in the years afterwards.

Public records and contemporary reporting make clear that Jack Kelly’s life cannot be reduced to the circumstances of his death. He was a committed journalist with a track record in Boston broadcasting, a veteran who began his media work in the service, and most importantly to those closest to him, a husband and father. Remembering him means acknowledging the work he did, the family he loved, and the gap his passing left in their lives.