Jack Kelly, Jr.

John Kelly Jr. never quite enjoyed the great Olympic success of his father, Jack, Sr., but surely one of his most satisfying victories had to be in 1947 when he won the Diamond Sculls at the Henley Regatta, finally bringing that title to the Kelly family. It was one of only many championships that he won, and included eight U.S. National single sculls titles, six Canadian single sculls championships, and two gold medals at the Pan American Games - single sculls in 1955 and double sculls in 1959 with Bill Knecht. Kelly, Jr. won the Diamond Sculls again in 1949, and was world singles champion in that year. At the Olympics, John, Jr. was not quite able to grab the gold ring, but at the 1956 Olympics, though probably a bit past his peak as a single sculler, he put on an outstanding performance to take the bronze behind Russia's Vyacheslav Ivanov, and Australia's Stuart Mackenzie. John Kelly, Jr. was very active in sports administration, especially in rowing. He served as a president of the AAU, president of the USOC, and president of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. His business was as chairman of the board of John B. Kelly, Inc., a masonry contracting company.