Joseph Patrick Skelly
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 16 Mar 1889 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Christening:
Death: 23 Feb 1950 - New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Burial: in Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Cause of Death: heart ailment
Spouses and Children
1. *Gertrude H. Morrison
Marriage:
Children:
1. Helen Gertrude Skelly
2. Florence Theresa Skelly
3. Margaret Skelly
4. Jane Patricia Skelly {FGID: 90029593}
5. James Thomas Skelly {FGID: 90029592}
6. Mary Elizabeth Skelly {FGID: 138020532}
Notes
General:
Per New Orleans birth index:
Skelly, Joseph P. M W
Father: James T. Skelly
Mother: Agnes Nugent
Date: 03/16/1889
Volume 87 Page 948
New Orleans city councilman in the 1930s, and 1940s.
Per 1930 US Census 4/3/1930 217 Delaronde St, Ward 15, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
J. P. Skelly is the 40 year old white male head of household, who owns his home, valued at $9,000, and a radio set. All members of this household were born in Louisiana, as were their parents [except Mary Morrison, as per below]. J. P. is an employer and contractor in the paving business, and is not a veteran. His wife is 41 year old Gertrude Skelly. When they were first married he was 21 and she was 22. There are 6 children, all in school: 18 year old daughter, Helen Skelly; 15 year old daughter, Florence Skelly; 14 year old daughter, Margaret Skelly; 12 year old daughter, Patricia Skelly; 10 year old son, James T. Skelly; and 7 year old daughter, Mary E. Skelly.
Living with the family is widowed mother-in-law 62 year old Mary E. Morrison, whose father was born in Ireland, her mother in Northern Ireland. John Morrison is the 36 year old divorced brother-in-law. Also living in the home is aunt Mary Morrison, 74 years old, single.
Per 1940 US Census 4/17/1940 217 Delaronde St, Ward 15, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana
Joseph P. Skelly is the 51 year old white male head of household, who owns his home, valued at $6,000. He and the entire family were born in Louisiana and lived in this same house in 1935. Joseph was educated through 3 years of college, and now is a city official, commissioner of public property. He worked 30 hours the last week of March, and in 52 weeks of government work earned $50,000 in 1939. His wife, 51 year old Gertrude M. Skelly [respondent of this census] was educated through 3 years of college and does home housework. Florence T. Skelly, their 26 year old single daughter, was educated through 4 years of high school, and works as a secretary for Internal Revenue, 40 hours the last week of March, and in 52 weeks of work earned $2,500 in 1939. 22 year old daughter, Patricia J. Skelly, finished 2 years of college and does other work that earned her over $50 in 1939. James T. Skelly is the 19 year old son, educated through 1 year of college, still attending school. Mary E. Skelly is the 17 year old daughter, educated through 7th grade, still attends school. Living with the family is 73 year old widow mother-in-law Margaret B. Morrison. She was educated through 7th grade.
Per Obituary in the Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La) February 24, 1950 page 1
EX-CITY OFFICIAL SUCCUMBS AT 62
Joseph P. Skelly Old Regular Leader for Years
Joseph Patrick Skelly. commissioner of public property here from 1930 until 1946, died at 6 p. m. Thursday at his residence, 1839 Calhoun. He was 62.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a. m. Saturday from the P. J. McMahon and Sons Funeral Home, Inc, 4800 Canal. A requiem mass at Holy Name of Jesus church will be followed by interment in Greenwood cemetery.
Mr. Skelly had been ill of a heart ailment since early in 1946, when he was defeated for re-election to the commission council.
Mr. Skelly, for many years the Old Regular leader for the 13th Ward (Algiers), assumed political office for the first time in 1925 when he was appointed Orleans parish registrar of voters by the then Gov. Henry L. Fuqua.
He resumed his connections with street paving contractors on the death of Gov. Fuqua. In 1928 he was elected state senator from the First, Second and 15th Wards and served in that capacity until his election as a member of the commission council in 1930.
He was re-elected to the commission council in 1934, 1938 and 1942.
In his early years on the council Mr. Skelly attracted wide attention for bartering deals in which he traded property the city didn't want for tracts it desired in street widening and other projects.
in 1936 it was estimated he had saved the city treasury some $200,000 by such exchanges.
As a member of the commission council, he held membership in the sewerage and water board, Orleans levee board, the New Orleans playground commission, the parkway commission, the board of directors of the Delgado Trades school, and other boards of a public or quasi-public nature.
In public life his interest centered on street conditions and beautification in the city, and to better recreational facilities for New Orleans children. He was instrumental in the establishment of several playgrounds and playing fields.
Known as "Red" to thousands, Mr. Skelly was regarded as the most democratic of city officials during his tenure of office. His lrish heritage and his birth on St. Patrick's day were subjects close to his heart.
He kept a green mat immediately inside of his office, door at City Hall with the word "welcome" on it. No one needed permission of a secretary to see him.
Mr. Skelly was born here, the son of James T. and Agnes Nugent Skelly. He was educated at Jesuit college and later was graduated from Springhill college at Mobile.
After his graduation he was employed by the sewerage and water board as an inspector and the Dock Board as timekeeper for five years.
He then entered the employ of Hortman-Salmen Lumber Company, and later worked with various street paving contractors of New Orleans until he entered public office.
Mr. Skelly was a member of numerous civic, Carnival and fraternal organizations.
He was a past grand knight of Council No. 1724, Knights of Columbus. an honorary president of the Martin Behrman Memorial Athletic Association and chairman of sponsors for the Algiers Little Theater.
He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Young Men's Business Club, New Orleans Athletic Club and other groups.
He resigned as 13th Ward Regular leader in May, 1947, because of ill health. He spent his summers at a home in Long Beech, Miss.
He is survived by his widow, the former Miss Gertrude Morrison of New Orleans: five daughters, Mrs. Joseph D'Antoni, Mrs. A. J. Kreller Jr., Mrs. Theo Hotard Jr., Mrs. Paul D. Cordes and Miss Patricia Skelly; two sons,
James and Thomas Skelly: two sisters, Mrs. J. E. Wright and Mrs. Ed Stumpf; three brothers, Hillary, James and Andrew Skelly: a half-brother, Nugent Quirk, all of New Orleans, and nine grandchildren.