The passing of Denis Kelleher, a major figure in the Irish American community who gave back in spades to his beloved Ireland and to America, marks the end of an extraordinary life journey.
Denis Kelleher, a man who came to America from Kerry with less than $50 in his pocket in search of a better life and determined to provide for his widowed mother back home, instead became one of the great Irish success stories of any generation.

When he passed away aged 80 at the weekend he left behind an incredible legacy of business and personal success, an immense philanthropic contribution to numerous causes including many Irish and a
reputation unmatched in the Irish American community.

Irish America's loss

He was a key supporter of the Staten Island Foundation set up to help the needy of the borough. 
“A beautiful soul and a righteous man - that was Denis,” said Staten Island Foundation chair Kathryn Rooney.
“Mr. Kelleher was deeply affected by his experience as a poor, young immigrant in his journey to America. His gift was his ability to see his own suffering in his youth, his vulnerability, and his desire to become rooted in the American experience, in other immigrants’ lives,” said the Rev. Terry Troia, President, and CEO of Project Hospitality, one of Denis’s main charitable focuses.