The Reverend James J. Kennelley, 77, died on Thursday, April 14 at Hamot Hospital in Erie. Father Kennelley was born on September 27, 1944 in Bradford, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert M., Sr. and Lillian (Hopkins) Kennelley. After attending Hobson Place Elementary School, Bradford, and Bradford Area Senior High School, he entered St. Mark Seminary in Erie and attended Gannon College. From 1964 to 1970 he continued his formation for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, while attending classes there as well as at John Hopkins University, Baltimore, and Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1970 in St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, by the Most Reverend Alfred M. Watson. Father Kennelley began his priestly ministry as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Erie. A scant three months later, he was assigned to the faculty at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage where he remained for ten years. During that time he served as Weekend Assistant at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Farrell. In July 1980, Father Kennelley was appointed Headmaster of Elk County Catholic School in St. Marys, a post he held until 1986. In September of the same year he was also assigned to be Weekend Assistant at St. Benedict Parish in Daguscahonda. In 1986, he became Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, DuBois and a year later he became Pastor of the same parish. He remained Pastor of St. Joseph Parish until 1999 when he assumed the pastorate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Mercer. Father Kennelley was appointed Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Albion, as well as chaplain of SCI Albion, in February 2017, ministries he held until his death. Father Kennelley was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Thomas Edward Kennelley, and a nephew, Thomas Michael Kennelley. He is survived by a brother, Robert M. Kennelley Jr. and his wife, Judy, and a niece, Valerie Kennelley, all of Sebring, FL. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 20, from 3:00pm – 7:00pm at St. Lawrence Church, 180 East State Street, Albion, PA 16401, and again on Thursday, April 21 beginning at 10:00am, likewise at St. Lawrence Church, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am with Bishop Persico as the main celebrant. Burial will take place on Friday, April 22, at 1:00pm in St. Bernard Cemetery, Bradford. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16506. The Mattera Funeral Home, 188 East State Street, Albion, is handling the funeral arrangements. To light a memory candle or leave a condolence, please visit www.matterafuneralhome.com