Dennis is Salesianum Class of 1973 and part of the 1972 Champion Football Team. The following remarks were written to be shared at Salesianiums' memorial dedication, located at Fusco Fields amphitheater, adjacent to the flagpole. The names of those etched on the memorial are below. Special gratitude to the members of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums who honored Dennis with their presence. Photos courtesy of Delaware State Police retired Major and former New Castle Police Chief, Kevin P. McDerby '65. Tenui Nec Dimittam.

"I do not speak of my own accord,
It is the Father, living in me,
who is doing his works."



We heard these words last weekend in the Gospel Reading and uniquely they also apply this morning.


Dennis Francis Kelly



He was born on the original feast day of Saint Francis De Sales, January 29. And the day he passed away on December 21, is the day of formation for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. 


At Sallies he cultivated great friendships and honed his sense of humor. Now Dennis is certainly having a laugh as we are gathered today on the baseball field and not the football field.


He was proud to play Salesianum Football, proud wear and be number 34. He developed a love and fury for football, which came to a peak when Sallies won the state championship 1972 his senior year. That fury and tenacity never left him.



I distinctly remember one summer night, sitting out in the garage with him. Feeling the drop in temperature as a summer storm rolled in. Listening to the rain hit the windshields and slow roar of thunder. With lighting surrounding us I asked him, where his faith came from? Why did he believe in Jesus?

And he told me, there was no alternative. There was only one truth.


Dennis’ life was marked with tenacity, service and generosity. For him, he had won the lottery, doing what he loved. Flying helicopters as a Delaware State Trooper. One night in May 1984 his helicopter crashed and he became paralyzed.


In Dennis’ journey back to himself after the accident there were many alternatives, other paths he could have gone down. But those paths would not have been true to himself. His commitment to friendship, sense of humor and the generous parts endured.

Honoring him today, and with this memorial, is great testimony to who he was and how he lived his life.



So may we have the fury within us, to hold true to our values, and live with the fury of faith. 



May God Be Praised

In Honor of Our Salesianum Heroes

We should live by two great mottos. First, whatever we do, we must do it passionately. Second, let us be full of courage. - Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS

Salesianum honors its alumni who, whether serving their nation or their community, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May these fallen Salesian Brothers inspire us to lives filled with passion and courage: always willing to suffer for something we believe in, and forever ready to surrender to God's will.

Charles L. Caulk, Jr. '31
Seaman Second Class
United States Navy
November 13th, 1942 - At Sea

John D. Petticrew '26
Lieutenant
United States Army
May 17th, 1943 - Washington, D. C

Leo E. Leahy '30
Major
United States Army
January 21st, 1944 - Italy

Arthur Hackett '31
Sergeant
United States Army
February 9th, 1944 - Staten Island, NY

Daniel O'Donnell '36
Captain
United States Army Air Corps
March 7th, 1944 - Australia

William J. Harden '40
Second Lieutenant
United States Army Air Corps
April 12th, 1944 - Austria

Joseph M. Vignola '39
Corporal
United States Army Air Corps
April 20th, 1944 - Italy

Casimir L. Blaska '39
Second Lieutenant
United States Army Air Corps
June 27th, 1944 - Hungary

Lewis F. Foley, Jr. '40
Private
United States Army
March 9th, 1945 - Germany

Thomas P. Conaty '35
Detective
Wilmington Police Department
December 26th, 1946 - Wilmington, DE

Adelchi Petrillo '47
Specialist
United States Army
October 24th, 1951 - Korea

Theodore J. Chason '66
Corporal
United States Army
October 8th, 1967 - Vietnam

Kevin G. Flaherty '63
Lieutenant
United States Army
November 4th, 1967 - Vietnam

Robert C. Anderson '66
IL/CPL
United States Marine Corps
February 3rd, 1968 - Vietnam

Raymond P. Dobrzynski '65
Specialist
United States Army
March 13th, 1968 - Vietnam

William J. Murphy '68
Specialist
United States Army
February 16th, 1970 - Vietnam

James J. Connell '57
Lieutenant Commander
United States Navy
January 14th, 1971 - In Captivity, Vietnam

Paul J. Sweeney '64
Corporal
New Castle County Police Department
November 30th, 1972 - Wilmington, DE

Dennis F. Kelly '73
Corporal
Delaware State Police
May 20th, 1984 - Georgetown, DE

Ralph J. Harting '94
Captain
United States Army
April 29th, 2005 - Iraq

Joseph L. Szczerba '85
Lieutenant
New Castle County Police Department
September 16th, 2011 - New Castle, DE

Christopher M. Leach '94
Captain
City of Wilmington Fire Department
September 24th, 2016 - Wilmington, DE