Please see below for funeral arrangements (updated 28 September 2020).
It is with profound sadness that Sterling Rescue announces the passing of Leo C. Kelly, PA. Leo was a Life Member of Sterling Rescue, becoming a member in 1974. Leo was the Rescue Chief from 1978 to 1981 and was the original owner of the ALS designation “CT1501”. In addition, Leo was the last system member to hold the radio designation of “Sterling 1”.
Leo’s passion for medicine began as an Army Corpsman who served in Vietnam. Decorated for his service, Leo brought his passion for the medical profession and specifically EMS medical care, to the Washington metropolitan area and to his home agency in Loudoun County. Leo earned his certification as a Physician Assistant (PA) and worked for many years at the Heart Center of Washington Hospital Center and later Providence Hospital. Leo was well known for his ability to teach the concepts of 12-lead EKG; breaking it down into a step-by-step process that became “the standard” throughout the region.
Leo was the cornerstone of the foundation of EMS in Loudoun County as we know it today. For decades he was the Chairperson of the County’s EMS Council and the Chairperson of the Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Commission. Leo served on the Northern VA EMS Council and was a member of the National Faculty to the American Heart Association. Leo received the state Jaycees award for outstanding contributions to public safety and the Northern Virginia’s EMS Council’s Award for Excellence in EMS. Leo’s real passion was in education and he would spend endless hours teaching new EMTs and ALS students. Leo was so instrumental in shaping the programs and mentoring the providers in our system that his contributions have been memorialized in the Leo C. Kelly, ALS Instructor Award which is presented to a system member each year who has shown outstanding achievement in ALS instruction.
Leo’s passing leaves a void in the Sterling Rescue family that cannot be measured. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Leo’s daughter Shannon and to the other members of Leo’s immediate family.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, 15 October 2020 from 6pm-8pm at the Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia, with Memorial Mass taking place on 16 October 2020 at 10am at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, 46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling Virginia. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia..
