Mortimer Demott Kelly ’50

Mort died Nov. 17, 1986, in the Veterans Hospital in Lyons, N.J., after a long period of declining health. He prepared for Princeton at Exeter, where he was a half-miler on the track team. During World War II, he was an Army courier in Europe, running messages between front-line combat command posts. Mort was cruelly wounded, recovered for a year in a veterans' hospital, and permanently lost much mobility in one arm. He ignored the disability and frequently rode in weekend fox hunts around his early home in Morristown, N.J.

At Princeton, Mort graduated with honors in art and archaeology. A member of Elm Club, he roomed with Jim Lindsay, Steve Kearney, Harry Johnson, Charley Gutenkunst, and Ron Wittreich. Mort had strong literary tastes, was intellectually curious, given to stimulating, slightly sardonic conversations. He was a good and generous friend.

After graduation, Mort lived in Europe for more three years, traveling 47,000 miles in a small convertible. Returning to the States, he worked in the publishing industry, specializing in sales with the American Book Co. until gradually failing health reduced his activities.

Even though many years have passed since Mort's death, the class extends its sympathy to his sister, Adrienne Carr, and her children.

The Class of 1950