A Homecoming

Livermore, California — This Memorial Day weekend, the San Francisco East Bay will witness a profound homecoming more than 80 years in the making.

2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr., a native son of Livermore and a World War II bombardier, will be laid to rest with full military honors. Lt. Kelly, born January 27, 1923, was baptized at St. Michael Catholic Church and graduated from Livermore High School before answering the call to serve his country.

Assigned to the 90th Bombardment Group, 320th Squadron, he flew missions in the Pacific Theater of the war until his B-24 bomber was shot down over Hansa Bay, Papua New Guinea, on March 11, 1944. He and the other 10 members of his crew were declared Missing In Action. For decades, his family and community held hope that he would be brought home. In 2017, his aircraft was located by a nonprofit group named Project Recover, and after a 2023 recovery mission by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, his remains have been positively identified.

His return to Livermore will be marked by a solemn series of events, including a motorcade procession, and Lying in Repose at Monte Vista Memorial Gardens and Mortuary. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects during the Lying in Repose at Monte Vista Memorial Gardens on Sunday, May 25, and to attend the funeral rites at St. Michael Catholic Church on Monday, May 26, on a space-available basis. The interment at St. Michael Cemetery will be private, out of respect for the family and due to space limitations. In honor of Lt. Kelly’s sacrifice, Monte Vista Memorial Gardens will dedicate its planned veterans memorial in his name..

Tommy left Livermore in 1942 to do his part in the war, and like so many others in that conflict he ended up giving more than he expected. After more than eight decades he is finally coming home to a family that never forgot him, and to a community who can help us remember him.

Scott Althaus, Lt. Kelly’s cousin

Ceremonies

Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr. Memorial Homecoming

Receiving of Remains

Friday, May 23: 12:01 pm Flight Arrival

San Jose Airport (SJC) to Santos Robinson Mortuary San Leandro, CA.

To include a military escort, military honor guard, VFW motorcycle and first responder procession.

Route from San Jose International Airport:
• 880 North
• Exit Davis Street
• Right on Davis Street
• Continue straight thru the E. 14th St intersection which becomes Callan Avenue
• Right on Harrison Street
• Right on Estudillo
• Arrival Mortuary
Park in front of Santos Robinson Mortuary at 160 Estudillo Avenue

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Military Receiving Ceremony
(Open to the Public)

Sunday, May 25th, 2025: 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Lying in Repose
(Open to the Public)

Sunday, May 25, 2025: 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

To include military honor guard, VFW motorcycle and first responder procession from Santos Robinson Mortuary to Monte Vista Memorial Gardens and Mortuary.

Route from Santos Robinson Mortuary:
• West on Estudillo Avenue
• Right on E 14th Street
• Right on Callan Avenue
• Right on Harrison Street
• Left on Estudillo Avenue
• Right on MacArthur Blvd
• Left to merge onto I-580 East
• Take exit 54 right onto First Street
• Right onto Las Positas Road
• Right onto Las Colinas Road
• 600 ft turn left
Arrive Monte Vista Memorial Gardens – 3656 Las Colinas Road

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Private Funeral Liturgy
(Limited Access to Public)

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025: 10:00 am

St. Michael Catholic Church.

Celebrant – Fr. Pat Conroy, S.J.

Guest Pianist/Organist: Bonnie Ricketts, from Our Lady of Grace, Castro Valley, CA

Guest Vocalist: Lisa Crudo

Depart Monte Vista Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:22 a.m.:
• Right onto Las Colinas Road
• Right onto Las Positas Road
• Left onto N Livermore Avenue
• Proceed on S Livermore Avenue
• Left on East Avenue
• Left on Maple Street
Arrive St. Michael Catholic Church – 458 Maple Street

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Procession
(Open to the Public)

Monday, May 26, 2025: 11:30 am

To include VFW motorcycle and first responder procession passing by the home where Lt. Kelly lived, the high school he attended, Stockmen’s Park, and Livermore’s  main thoroughfare.

Depart St. Michael Catholic Church:
• North on Maple Street
• Left on First Street
• Left on South L
• Left on Seventh Street
• Left on S Livermore Avenue
• Right on East Avenue
Arrive St. Michael Cemetery – 3885 East Avenue

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Private Committal Service
(No Access to Public)

Monday, May 26, 2025: 12:00 pm

St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.