John Kelly, a Great Friend to Many, has Died. Memorial Service to be Held in January.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of NDY’s singularly dear colleague and incomparable disability rights champion, John Bryan Kelly, (pictured here) who passed away peacefully in Boston, this past Friday, November 14, 2025, at the age of 67.  

In spite of battling an unrelenting infection in hospital since the latter part of September, John’s legendary spirit remained on display throughout, communicating in winks and smiles until his peaceful passing.

As Communications Director and previously as Regional Director for Not Dead Yet, as Executive Director for Second Thoughts Massachusetts, and as the Chair of Boston Disability Advisory Commission, John’s expert knowledge and unwavering dedication to his work for disability rights motivated all who worked with or alongside him to do the same, and to keep going when the going got tough, which it often has. 

With the Kelly family’s permission, a brief excerpt from the forthcoming obituary sheds more light on John’s life and legacy:

A Short History of Assisted Suicide; Not Dead Yet; Is Canadian Style Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia Coming to California?

By Diane Coleman 

A California State Senator, Catherine Blakespear, introduced a bill (SB 1196) earlier this month that resembles Canada’s law and, here in the U.S., reflects the broad agenda openly espoused by the Hemlock Society and Final Exit Network. The agenda of these organizations has long included eligibility for people with non-terminal conditions and disabilities.

When Not Dead Yet activists joined me in attending Jack “Dr. Death” Kevorkian’s trial in the late 1990s, Hemlock’s executive director Faye Girsh was there supporting him. Two thirds of his body count consisted of people with non-terminal disabilities. Girsh also advocated eligibility for people with cognitive disabilities and dementia, with or without consent. Leaders also advocated active euthanasia and “mercy killing.”