Robert George Kelland

A Funeral service for Ret. Watertown Police Chief Robert George Kelland will be held on Wednesday May 8, 2024, at 11 AM in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave. Watertown.

Mr. Kelland was born in Somerville, MA on June 18, 1932. His family moved to Newfoundland, Canada for a few years when he was very young. The Kellands returned to the United States and lived in Somerville for a while and then moved to Watertown where he attended Middle School and High School.

In 1951 at the age of 19 Bob joined the United States Air Force. Bob spent the next four years as a Military Police Officer stationed in Germany.

In January of 1957, Bob was appointed to the Watertown Police Department. When he first went on spending every night walking the streets and hitting his respective call boxes. Over the years he became the Police Photographer, worked the front desk, and became a Detective. He took the required exams and was promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. Bob was fortunate to find a job that he loved. Chief Kelland retired in 1994 as Acting Police Chief after 39 years.

In June of 1957, Bob married his wife, Mary Carole. Otherwise known as "Mom”, “Charlotte” and recently "Sweetie". This past June, they celebrated 66 years of marriage. Bob and Carole raised their four children in Watertown. Bob was active in the community and served on the first board of directors for Watertown Youth Hockey.

H was the beloved husband of Mary Carole (Delaney) Kelland. Loving father of Linda M. Rogers & her husband John of Medford, Robert A. Kelland & his wife Lauriann of Meredith, NH, Elizabeth A. Kelland of Waltham, and Suzanne M. Kelland of Waltham. Dear brother of the late Elizabeth Grace Marcantonio. Loving grandfather of Robert T. Kelland (Watertown FD) & his wife Chloe, Emily M. Kelland, Joseph F. Kelland (Watertown PD) & his wife Emmary, and Hannah M. Rogers. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Bob’s two grandsons are first responders in Watertown. Bobby is a Watertown Firefighter and Joey is a Watertown Police Officer. Joey proudly wears badge number 165, the same as his grandfather, Chief Robert George Kelland.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday May 8, 2024, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM in the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St. Watertown followed by Funeral Service at Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave. Watertown at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Robert’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 320 Nevada St, Suite 201 Newton, MA 02460

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