Brian Joseph Kelley
January 8, 1943 ~ September 19, 2011
KELLEY
LT. Col. BRIAN JOSEPH KELLEY
US AIR FORCE (Ret.)
(Age 68)
Lt. Col. Brian Joseph Kelley, of Vienna, VA passed suddenly on Monday, September 19, 2011. Beloved husband of Patricia McCarthy Kelley; loving father of Barry and his wife Lee Anne Kelley of Fairfax, VA, Brian and his wife Camille Kelley of Herndon, VA, and Erin and her husband Kyle Aldrich of Great Falls, VA; brother of Mary Lou, teacher at Chase School in Waterbury, CT and her husband Peter Raider of Southington, CT and Pamela, principal of Kingsbury School in Waterbury, CT, and her husband Russell Baim of Southington, CT. He is the proud grandfather of 7: Mackie, Davis, Deegan, Trey, Brett, Addison, and Alexis; step-father of Nicholas and his wife Melissa Riegel, Marissa Riegel, Elisabeth and her husband Scott, and Brian Riegel; step-grandfather of Jake and Nathaniel Riegel and Gabriella Viilu; He is also survived by nieces Kelley Downey, Meghan Giannelli, Stephanie Sullivan, and Jamie Sullivan, nephew Eric Baim, and 11 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Brian had a distinguished career as an intelligence officer in the Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was involved in a number of historic espionage cases. Brian spent 20 years with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, doing counterintelligence work, until 1984. He was a veteran counterspy who broke the code on how Moscow secretly communicates with deep-cover agents and who mistakenly was hounded by the FBI as a suspected KGB mole. Brian served for many years at IWP as a professor of counterintelligence, where he taught one of the most unique courses in the nation on counterintelligence case studies. . Brian taught at IWP, sharing his extraordinary experience and wisdom with successive classes of IWP students. He was an inspiring leader who brought an extraordinary esprit de corps to our community. Brian is named by so many as "an American hero," "a true patriot," "an incredible professor," and "an inspiration". America has lost one of its greatest sons and he is considered a national treasure by many.
In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made in Brian's name to the Dominican Retreat, 7103 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22101, please make checks payable to Patricia McCarthy.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
LT. Col. BRIAN JOSEPH KELLEY
US AIR FORCE (Ret.)
(Age 68)
Lt. Col. Brian Joseph Kelley, of Vienna, VA passed suddenly on Monday, September 19, 2011. Beloved husband of Patricia McCarthy Kelley; loving father of Barry and his wife Lee Anne Kelley of Fairfax, VA, Brian and his wife Camille Kelley of Herndon, VA, and Erin and her husband Kyle Aldrich of Great Falls, VA; brother of Mary Lou, teacher at Chase School in Waterbury, CT and her husband Peter Raider of Southington, CT and Pamela, principal of Kingsbury School in Waterbury, CT, and her husband Russell Baim of Southington, CT. He is the proud grandfather of 7: Mackie, Davis, Deegan, Trey, Brett, Addison, and Alexis; step-father of Nicholas and his wife Melissa Riegel, Marissa Riegel, Elisabeth and her husband Scott, and Brian Riegel; step-grandfather of Jake and Nathaniel Riegel and Gabriella Viilu; He is also survived by nieces Kelley Downey, Meghan Giannelli, Stephanie Sullivan, and Jamie Sullivan, nephew Eric Baim, and 11 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Brian had a distinguished career as an intelligence officer in the Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was involved in a number of historic espionage cases. Brian spent 20 years with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, doing counterintelligence work, until 1984. He was a veteran counterspy who broke the code on how Moscow secretly communicates with deep-cover agents and who mistakenly was hounded by the FBI as a suspected KGB mole. Brian served for many years at IWP as a professor of counterintelligence, where he taught one of the most unique courses in the nation on counterintelligence case studies. . Brian taught at IWP, sharing his extraordinary experience and wisdom with successive classes of IWP students. He was an inspiring leader who brought an extraordinary esprit de corps to our community. Brian is named by so many as "an American hero," "a true patriot," "an incredible professor," and "an inspiration". America has lost one of its greatest sons and he is considered a national treasure by many.
In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made in Brian's name to the Dominican Retreat, 7103 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22101, please make checks payable to Patricia McCarthy.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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I am truly shattered by the loss of my good friend BJK. I have never met a person who is as ethical and professional as he.I met him when he was with NCIX and first heard his “wrong man” experience. Never will there be more of a friend of polygraph than he as well as a tremendous and undaunting patriot. Rest well my friend. With the people you join who have also gone to heaven, you work will not end. Semper Fi!
God has seen fit to call home our dear friend Brian. All of us agree that it was too soon, but the good Lord has His reasons, and we have our Faith. May God bless the soul of this great husband, father, grandfather, mentor, friend and American patriot!!
I studied under Professor Kelley at the Institute of World Politics during my Masters program. His charisma lit up the classroom, and his warmheartedness was as transparent as his humility. His ability to articulate the importance of patriotism and the value of government service will never be lost on me. I can only hope to achieve half the success in service to my country that he did. My condolences go out to his family during this terribly difficult time.
I met Brian Kelley as a guest lecturer in one my classes at the Institute of World Politics. He made a very strong impression with his ability to read people in terms of disposition, place of origin, etc. Later he became a professor at the Institute, though I unfortunately did not have an opportunity to take his class. He intrigued students with his interesting stories and entertained me with his sharp humor, both in person and in emails. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family. I am in NY and will not be able to attend the services. RIP Professor.
Brians passion for his tradecraft and country was contagious! If you were meeting him for the first time, you could just tell by listening to him that he was an American Patriot and if you were lucky enough to have worked alongside or studied under him-you knew it to be the case. I honestly do not believe I would be on the path in life that Im on had it not been for the good fortune of getting to know Brian. He inspired hundreds of his students to take up the call to serve something greater than themselves. I feel very fortunate to have known him. He was a just a great all around guy. To his family and loved oneswords can never really seem to encompass what one truly feels at these moments in life. I know Ill miss that smile and laugh but there are so many other little things that only you truly know about. My condolences to you and all those that were close to Brian.
I will miss your friendship and your tutelage. Your quiet, gentle manner and your patriotism and intelligence were inspirations. I will never forget you. God bless you.
I am sorry to hear of the death of one of the most warm and compassionate of persons. Many of us will forever remember him fondly. My condolences to his wife, other members of his family, and his close friends.
As neighbors and friends, we want to express our sincerest condolences to Brian’s family. Brian was a warm, friendly neighbor who always took the time to interact and joke with our boys. We greatly appreciate his service to our country and he will be sorely missed. Mike and Di
Good Night, beloved Professor, friend, and mentor. We are glad that you were fully restored and redeemed in your lifetime. You have gone the way of all mortals, and the bell tolls for the rest of us who can still write these lines. May God Almighty receive you warmly, and give your family the fortitude and grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Our most sincere condolences are extended to Trish and to Brian’s children and grandchildren. We haven’t seen him since the last family wedding in Connecticut, but remember with fondness growing up together as cousins. He will be missed.
Our most sincere condolences are extended to Trish and to Brian’s children and grandchildren. We haven’t seen him since the last family wedding in Connecticut, but remember with fondness growing up together as cousins. He will be missed.
I met Brian shortly after my divorce. He was my inspiration that there is life after divorce. I still recall the many words of wisdom he shared in the conversations we had years ago as if they occurred yesterday. I, and many others, will miss him.
I was so shocked to see Mr. Kelley’s picture in the obituaries. I had not heard he had passes away and I am deeply saddened by his death. I only knew him for a short time but he became a friend and it was always a pleasure to see him and his wife at the country club. My sincere condolences to his wife and all his family. Sincerely, Valinda Feather
Brian’s death came much too soon. He was a valued colleague and friend for over 25 years. I send my deepest condolences to his family. You are in my prayers. I wish I could be present to honor his memory tomorrow, but I must take my mother (88) to the doctor.
We are sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. Please accept our deepest sympathies for Patricia and the family. Too soon. Anne and Al Snyder (former neighbors of Patricia)
I was saddened to learn of Brian’s passing. I will never forget how kind he was to me, and particularly to my two sons, following my husband’s sudden passing several years ago. The two had worked together at the time, and Brian wrote the kindest letter to my sons where he described so many touching stories of their time together. My deepest sympathies to Brian’s family.
I am a distant cousin of Brian. I met him at family gatherings in Connecticut many years ago. My great aunt was Jane Kelley (I am not sure how that fits into the family tree.) I too was born in Waterbury, graduated from St. Michael’s and retired from the AF as a Lt Col. I relived my memory of Brian after watching the 60 minutes show. I could not imagine what Brian was going through, let alone his family. He was a champion of doing what’s right. The eulogies today gave compelling testimony to the character, verve and integrity of this true patriot. “If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools. Or watch the things you gave your life to broken and stoop to build them up with worn out tools”. He was a man of uncomparable dignity. Pease accept my most sincere sympathy. “Bob”
God bless Brian Kelley, a decent and honorable man. My sincere condolences to his entire family. May his soul rest in peace.
Uncle Brian, Thank you for always being such an amazing support system and cheerleader for everything I have accomplished in my life both personally and professionally. You never ceased to amaze me with your strength, courage and admiration for us as your family. I am honored to say I am your niece and will continue to work hard to make you proud. I love you forever. Love, Kelley