Week 12 #52in52: Loss

 Week 12 of #52AncestorsIn52Weeks is all about "Loss."

Everyone in life will at some point experience a loss of some nature. It could be the loss of a parent, or a sibling, the loss of a child, a job, a home, a pet. We've all experienced it but some of us seem to be way less fortunate then others. Let me tell you about Miles John Kelleher. 

Miles John Kelleher, who went by John, and his twin sister Mary Louise were born on January 25, 1922 in Pennsylvania. They were the only children of their parents Lucy Kennedy and Miles Kelleher. Miles worked with several of his brothers and brother in laws for Prudential Life insurance where he was the assistant superintendent. 

When John was just 4 years old he was faced with his first tragic loss. In January of 1926 Mary Louise was admitted to the hospital with appendicitis. While the operation was successful the girl became sceptic and developed pneumonia. She passed away on Feb 1 1926. 

John went on to graduate high school and began college at Villanova. In 1942 he enlisted in the army reserves and served for several months in the Coast Artillery in Alaska. 

In October 1943 his mother Lucy died at the age of 50. It was another devastating blow to the two men.

In March of 1944 John was sent overseas to Europe to fight the Nazis. 6 months later it was reported back home that John had gone missing in France on September 21. It was almost another 6 months later in February 1945 that it was reported he was being held as a German prisoner of war. After nearly 9 months in captivity he was finally liberated and sent home. 

John began working with his father at Prudential Life Insurance after his return to the states. In 1948 he married 20 year old Rosann Gaughan. One year later they welcomed their first son Daniel, who was followed by Robert in 1953. 

Tragedy struck the Kelleher home again on September 10, 1958. Rosann was pregnant with their third child and went into preterm labor. She suffered a placental abruption and died of shock within hours. The baby boy was stillborn. Miles was left a widow of a 9 year old and a 5 year old. He never remarried. 

This, sadly, was not the last of the losses John would suffer. His father, Miles, passed away in 1973. Then in 1976 his 5 year old grandson Craig passed away. 

On November 14, 1985 John died after an illness. He was 63 years old. He was survived by his two sons, and 5 grandchildren. 

Miles John is my 1st cousin 2x removed