Community Rallies to Support Former Firefighter James Kelly's Family After Sudden Death

A GoFundMe campaign for the family of James Kelly, a former Monroe-Lakeside Fire & Rescue member who died suddenly, raised $13,435 in its first day, as neighbors, former colleagues, and union brothers moved quickly to support his wife and three young children.

Monroe-Lakeside announced Kelly's death in a social media post on March 31, describing the passing as "early and untimely." No public cause of death has been released. In the post, the company recalled seeing Kelly at a department Santa Run "smiling with his kids in his arms" and remembered him as a man who had chosen family over active service. "Jim left our rolls to spend more time with his kids and family," Monroe-Lakeside wrote. "We are never glad to see a member go, but we are glad he got to focus on his family."

Greg Napoli organized the fundraiser, titled "Coming Together for James Kelly's Family," with a $50,000 goal to help Kelly's wife, Lauren, and their children. Napoli described Kelly as a dedicated worker who had recently transitioned into a career with IUEC Local One, the elevator constructors union, to provide financially for his family. The campaign had raised $13,435 as of April 1.

Kelly's career shift to Local One reflected a path common to volunteer firefighters in small Orange County communities. Monroe-Lakeside is entirely volunteer-based, with more than 44 active members, 12 certified as EMT-Ds. All members cross-train in rescue and EMS procedures and hold drills every Monday evening at the department's headquarters at 147 West Mombasha Road in Monroe. The company was founded in 1947 as the Lake Mombasha Fire Company with just 19 volunteers and took its current name in June 1991.

IUEC Local One, the union Kelly joined, represents approximately 3,000 elevator constructors across New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Long Island, and New Jersey. Chartered on June 7, 1894, its members install, service, repair, and modernize elevators, escalators, and related conveyances, skilled work that carries competitive wages and union benefits.

Visitation for Kelly will be held Wednesday, April 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush Funeral Home in Monroe. A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Monroe. Those wishing to support Lauren Kelly and her children can find the campaign by searching "Coming Together for James Kelly's Family" on GoFundMe.