John Kelly : Captain
John, a former Captain, passed away peacefully on the 29th August 2023 at his care home in Horley. My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and former colleagues.
John was formerly of the BAC 1-11, DC-10 and latterly 747 fleet at Gatwick and had a flying career with over 20,000 hours logged.
John was formerly of the BAC 1-11, DC-10 and latterly 747 fleet at Gatwick and had a flying career with over 20,000 hours logged.
Service details
John's service was held at Snell Hatch Cemetery on Thursday 21st September 2023, with a small Celebration of Life afterwards. The family apologises that the details were not more widely broadcast in advance but it simply was impossible to juggle venue sizes and availability.
The family would be delighted to hear from any former colleagues wishing to make contact.
John's service was held at Snell Hatch Cemetery on Thursday 21st September 2023, with a small Celebration of Life afterwards. The family apologises that the details were not more widely broadcast in advance but it simply was impossible to juggle venue sizes and availability.
The family would be delighted to hear from any former colleagues wishing to make contact.
John Remembered
From Jim Will: RIP Captain Kelly
From Riaz Butt: R.I.P Captain John. Condolences to the family.
From Susie Douglas-Smith: Fly higher than you ever flew, Captain. My condolence to his family and friends
From Bernice Priestnall: My condolences to his loved ones.
From Tricia Riley: RIP John. Always a gentleman and a joy to work with
From Derek Jenkins: I remember Captain Kelly, a gentle man and a gentleman. RIP Sir, fly high and safe.
From Charlotte Burnell: So sad and may he rest in peace. One of Dad's (Tom Moremon) flying chums. Hope he finds Dad up there.
From Roger Warren: RIP John
From Richard Friend: Very sad. RIP John.
From Alastair Ferguson: My condolences, John was a very nice gentleman
From Tony Rider: RIP John. Fly High
From Valerie Armstrong: RIP
From Sally Simmonds: Very sorry to hear. RIP, John.
From Ian Corby: I flew with John several times on the DC-10! My sincere condolences to John's family! RIP John!
From Dick Holder
John like most BCAL Captains was a real professional and such a nice gentleman who always had time for a chat. RIP Dear John
From Martyn Gurton
I knew John well as I worked in crewing for many years. He was a great guy, my condolences to the family
From Avril Milne
Very sad to hear about the passing of Captain Kelly, a great pillar and character of our lovely airline.
From David Vetch
My association with John goes back to the 1960s and I always had the greatest respect for his qualities both as an airman and as a training Captain.
From William (Bill) Newman
I first met John when training on the BAC 1-11 in 1971. Subsequently I flew with him on the DC10 and latterly on the B747. It was no secret that John set himself very exacting operational standards and actively encouraged others to do the same. He was an outstanding Captain and training pilot whose contribution to flight safety and operational efficiency within the airline was second to none. His family should be proud of his achievements and I send them my sincere condolences.
From Jim Stott: My condolences to John's family. As a Flight Engineer I flew many times with John.
From Charles Powell
John was the Fleet Manager on the DC10 and in that role was responsible for the introduction of this fleet that served BCAL so well. He commanded the delivery flight of the first aircraft in 1977. Five years later he was appointed to manage the 747 fleet when G-BJXN was introduced. I enjoyed working with him on the introduction of this aircraft. He was a management captain who earned himself a fine reputation in the industry.
From Graham Crewe
RIP John with sincere condolences to family and friends. Never had the pleasure of flying with him but he, together with Gerry Moore, interviewed me for my B-Cal appointment back in ‘76.
From Geoff Johnston
I remember Captain Kelly on many of the flights that I had over the years and I always new I was in capable hands. I saw him frequently in Crew Reporting and he was always cheerful and a pleasure to converse with.
From Coreen Wilcox
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Captain John Kelly…a gentleman and a pleasure to fly with. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP John.
From Jim Wilson I knew John when on the 747 fleet as my fleet manager, great chap.
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences have been extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Jim Will, Jenny Thomas, Karen Rayner, Robin Frazier, Shaqui Le Vesconte, Pat Cresswell, Freddie Gorman, Karen Strawson, Liz Tiley, Nancy Strafford, John Nicholas, Graham Waters, Alan Reeves, Andy Hudson, Jean Bagnell, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Julie Hourigan, Richard Friend, Biddi Geoghegan, Tina Harvey, Janet Willis, Jacqueline Moremon, Mel Sanders, David Williams, Christine Jegu, Tricia Riley, Lindsay Smith, Ray Bridgman, Terry de la Haye, Jacqui Byrne, Susie Douglas-Smith, Sylvia Murphy, Caron Phillips, Nick Washington-Jones, Riaz Butt,
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From Jim Will: RIP Captain Kelly
From Riaz Butt: R.I.P Captain John. Condolences to the family.
From Susie Douglas-Smith: Fly higher than you ever flew, Captain. My condolence to his family and friends
From Bernice Priestnall: My condolences to his loved ones.
From Tricia Riley: RIP John. Always a gentleman and a joy to work with
From Derek Jenkins: I remember Captain Kelly, a gentle man and a gentleman. RIP Sir, fly high and safe.
From Charlotte Burnell: So sad and may he rest in peace. One of Dad's (Tom Moremon) flying chums. Hope he finds Dad up there.
From Roger Warren: RIP John
From Richard Friend: Very sad. RIP John.
From Alastair Ferguson: My condolences, John was a very nice gentleman
From Tony Rider: RIP John. Fly High
From Valerie Armstrong: RIP
From Sally Simmonds: Very sorry to hear. RIP, John.
From Ian Corby: I flew with John several times on the DC-10! My sincere condolences to John's family! RIP John!
From Dick Holder
John like most BCAL Captains was a real professional and such a nice gentleman who always had time for a chat. RIP Dear John
From Martyn Gurton
I knew John well as I worked in crewing for many years. He was a great guy, my condolences to the family
From Avril Milne
Very sad to hear about the passing of Captain Kelly, a great pillar and character of our lovely airline.
From David Vetch
My association with John goes back to the 1960s and I always had the greatest respect for his qualities both as an airman and as a training Captain.
From William (Bill) Newman
I first met John when training on the BAC 1-11 in 1971. Subsequently I flew with him on the DC10 and latterly on the B747. It was no secret that John set himself very exacting operational standards and actively encouraged others to do the same. He was an outstanding Captain and training pilot whose contribution to flight safety and operational efficiency within the airline was second to none. His family should be proud of his achievements and I send them my sincere condolences.
From Jim Stott: My condolences to John's family. As a Flight Engineer I flew many times with John.
From Charles Powell
John was the Fleet Manager on the DC10 and in that role was responsible for the introduction of this fleet that served BCAL so well. He commanded the delivery flight of the first aircraft in 1977. Five years later he was appointed to manage the 747 fleet when G-BJXN was introduced. I enjoyed working with him on the introduction of this aircraft. He was a management captain who earned himself a fine reputation in the industry.
From Graham Crewe
RIP John with sincere condolences to family and friends. Never had the pleasure of flying with him but he, together with Gerry Moore, interviewed me for my B-Cal appointment back in ‘76.
From Geoff Johnston
I remember Captain Kelly on many of the flights that I had over the years and I always new I was in capable hands. I saw him frequently in Crew Reporting and he was always cheerful and a pleasure to converse with.
From Coreen Wilcox
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Captain John Kelly…a gentleman and a pleasure to fly with. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP John.
From Jim Wilson I knew John when on the 747 fleet as my fleet manager, great chap.
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences have been extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Jim Will, Jenny Thomas, Karen Rayner, Robin Frazier, Shaqui Le Vesconte, Pat Cresswell, Freddie Gorman, Karen Strawson, Liz Tiley, Nancy Strafford, John Nicholas, Graham Waters, Alan Reeves, Andy Hudson, Jean Bagnell, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Julie Hourigan, Richard Friend, Biddi Geoghegan, Tina Harvey, Janet Willis, Jacqueline Moremon, Mel Sanders, David Williams, Christine Jegu, Tricia Riley, Lindsay Smith, Ray Bridgman, Terry de la Haye, Jacqui Byrne, Susie Douglas-Smith, Sylvia Murphy, Caron Phillips, Nick Washington-Jones, Riaz Butt,
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