Obituaries
Tim J. Kiely, 71
December 06, 2021
Timothy J. Kiely, 71, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2021 after a courageous battle with ALS—he was surrounded by his family, who loved him endlessly. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who always cherished time spent with friends and family, especially his wife and five grandchildren.
He was married to his wife, Pamela (Diem), for 49 years and leaves behind three children: Oliver S. Kiely, husband of Jessica (Purcell); Brian J. Kiely, husband of Annette Ketalu; and Alicia R. (Kiely), wife of Sean Harmann. He is also survived by six siblings.
Tim served 2 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy and 4 years in the Navy Reserve. He was an accomplished master carpenter who spent the first 20 years of his career constructing room sets for Armstrong World Industries. He worked another 12 in a similar role at Excel Productions before starting his own home improvement company in 2004. He retired in 2017. Tim was a talented woodworker; he could do anything with his strong hands.
Tim was a kind and humble man to his core—selflessly generous to all in need. He lived by the rule that ‘anything worth doing is worth doing right’, and all who knew him loved his excellent work and genuine spirit.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St, Lancaster, PA. Interment will be private in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends will be received from 10-11AM at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Tribute Donations be made to the ALS Foundation in his memory.
Watch the tribute videoLeave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
January 09, 2022
Tim Kiely and I worked together frequently through 20 years in the Armstrong studio and then another 12 years with Excel Productions.
The other producers in my department and I often shot film or video in the studio when there was a standing set available for our use. Sets were generally great places to shoot film or tape. Oh, and the cost of constructing and dressing a standing set came out of someone else’s budget. Thank you very much. But a set built for still photography was rarely a perfect fit for a film or video. Everything about it was designed and built to be viewed from a fixed camera position. A film or video camera is moved frequently. A camera moving in a set reveals things not meant to be seen. Like an un-painted or un-papered section of wall, or a gap between back walls that reveals a semi-dark trashed-out studio with a red “exit” sign in the distance. Before beginning filming and between shots, problems had to be found and fixed. Any of the carpenters in the studio could and did help us, but Tim made himself part of our crew and took the initiative in finding and fixing problems. He’d paint or paper walls, or extend a wall as needed. He’d build and decorate a movable wall section that could be used to fill in gaps. He’d fill in missing flooring. We’d find a problem and Tim could do it all, quickly and effectively. And as film and video projects are known to spill out of the time period allotted to them, Tim was often found on set after quitting time. I liked Tim. We all did. I came to know Tim as skillful, dedicated, personable, and an altogether good man. I will remember him that way. Pam and Family, I am so sorry for your loss.
January 08, 2022
Pam & family, Never was there a more kinder and sincere man than Tim! Truly genuine! And in his soft spoken way, he made you feel loved as a friend! Are hearts go out to you and your family! Tim will be missed!
John and Helen Yeager
January 05, 2022
TIM WAS A TREASURED FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE. HIS AMAZING TALENT AND SKILL MADE SO MANY PROJECTS A SUCCESS AND PLEASURABLE. HE WILL BE VERY MISSED FOR HIS QUIET KINDNESS – AND HIS SINCERE INTEREST IN OTHERS. I SEND MY SYMPATHY TO HIS BELOVED FAMILY: PAMELA, OLIVER, BRIAN AND ALICIA. A TRULY WONDERFUL MAN!
January 05, 2022
So saddened to hear of your loss of Tim. Hard to believe so many years have gone by since CVHS but am sure you and your family have treasured memories to last you a lifetime. Sentiments surely indicate he was a special man . You were truly blessed. God bless old friend. Deb (Jenny) Garrett
January 05, 2022
Dear Pam and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Tim was a quiet, kind soul–gifted and talented in his craft. May he rest in peace. Blessings to all the Kielys.
Carol and Rich Lichty
January 03, 2022
Condolences to the Kiely family.
Sincerely,
John Palko
January 03, 2022
I am sorry to hear of Tim’s passing. I knew him from our days at Armstrong and Excel. I got to know him better when I was in charge of the Christmas dinner deliveries at St. Anne’s. He would deliver meals to residents of the Prince Street Towers and always added a few extra because he knew he would invariably run into people in the hallways or the lobby of the building and he wanted to have a few extra dinners on hand. When he did work on my house I never asked him for an estimate because I knew he would give me a fair price. He was a really good guy.
December 19, 2021
Dear Pam & Family,
I was heartbroken to hear of Tim’s passing. I knew Tim since grade school at St. Anthony’s, his living on Orange St, passing him on my way home from grade school, & LCHS class of ’68. In all of those years, he remained the sweetest, kindest, most sincere man I had the pleasure of knowing. I’m sure God welcomed this newest Angel without any hesitation.
December 18, 2021
Dear Pam and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep all of you in our hearts and prayers.
December 17, 2021
To Pam and family, I am so sorry to hear of Tim’s passing. I would always check up on Tim every time Pam came to the Salon to get her hair done. May God grant you peace and strength in these coming days. I will keep your family in my prayers.
December 17, 2021
Pam and family it was of great sadness and shock that read of Tims passing. May you find comfort from all your memories of Tims time here on earth. May you find strength in knowing the Lord walks with you in this time of sadness. He was a wonderful gentleman that will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you Pam and the family.
December 16, 2021
Pam and family. So sorry for the loss of Tim. We have lost a fine man. I have met him again after many years at the ABC happy hours. Our family were from St Anthony’s so we know the Kiely’s from grade school days. He will be in our prayers.
December 15, 2021
Dear Pam and family and all Tim’s Siblings: I am so sorry for your loss and heartbroken at Tim’s passing. He was such a quiet, gentle soul and we all were blessed to have him in our lives over the many years. I went to school with Tim from first grade thru 8th at St. Anthony’s and High School at LCHS and knew his family growing up. Tim will be missed but never forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families and may God give you the strength, Pam, to get thru this rough time. May Tim RIP! Sincerely, Carolyn Shoemaker Brown and Dave Brown
December 15, 2021
Dear Pamela & family, Joe & Kathy, Bill and all,
So very sorry to read this. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruno & Sylvia Schmalhofer
December 15, 2021
Pam. So sorry to hear about Tim. He was truly one of the nicest guys I have met and a real talented professional. He was a real asset to Lee, Gene and I during our EXCEL days. Please take care.
December 15, 2021
To Pam, Tim’s kids & Tim’s siblings, having grown up with the Kiely’s & rekindling our relationship with all of you thrOugh Tim in recent years, like you all, we will miss Tim. We will fondly remember our time together, especially Tim & Pam’s trips down to our Florida house. What fun we had! We have read some of the other condolences and there is a common thread running through all of them. That Tim was as humble, kind, compassionate & empathetic as any person any of us has ever known. The fact so many people knew him this way is a legacy well lived while he was with us. Now, we are left with our memories which will always be fondly remembered.
December 14, 2021
There are great men and there are exceptional men. Tim was an exceptional man. A best friend and brother and I am diminished by his passing.
Pam and Kiely family I have no words to adequately express my greif on your loss
December 14, 2021
We did not know him well but we did know him as wonderfully kind, talented, soft spoken and caring man. He will be missed by all. Sending wishes of peace to his family as we carry them close in our hearts.
December 14, 2021
My Brother Brain Kailey, Condolences to you and family.
I pray the good lord will give you and family strength during this time of sorrow.