For years, Pat Kelly turned young fighters into warriors. Into champions. Into gold medal winners. His gym was where lightweight boxers came to take the next step. In the case of Mike Strange, it was the Olympics. In the case of Billy Irwin, it was the Canadian lightweight title. But as fierce as his workouts and training sessions were, Kelly was an easygoing fatherly figure to everyone he met. And he met lots. (from Niagara Falls Review) "This is what a Real gym looks Like" - "How's my lifelong friend?" - "He's in good shape for the shape he's in" (some of Pat's famous one liners) Our Boxing community lost a legend in our sport Pat Kelly. Pat was a national team coach, but is more famous for his gym the Shamrock Boxing Club that produced many Champions but most noteably Olympians Mike Strange and Billy Irwin . On our trips he was a very calming voice for us in and out of the ring. As it turns out, he is not in many of the pictures, because he was usually taking them for us. Thankfully he shared some of it with me. He will always be remembered for his one liners and trademark "fist pump" wave. Pat will always be my "LIFELONG Friend".
Pat passed from COVID-19 April 5, 2020