The Urchins

Mark A Kelly was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents were wealthy immigrant parents. Just prior to Mark's birth, his father had a tragic accident. They lost everything The family moved to a farm in Geneva, Ohio just as World War II began. Their rustic farmhouse had no running water or indoor toilets. They were able to raise their own food. Mr. Kelly insisted they have their own chickens and ducks. Relatives and friends flocked, no pun intended, to their farm for Sunday dinners. During the summer, large groups of GIs came to the dancehall at Geneva-on-the-Lake. That was where the ladies were. Mark was able to get a summer job working at the dancehall, even though he was only ten years old. He thought he was in Show Business After the war, the farm life had lost its appeal. Mrs. Kelly suggested that Mr. Kelly take a vacation in Florida to avoid his summer asthma attack. While he was away, she moved the family back to the big city of Cleveland. Their mother insisted that the three younger children; John 14, Mark 12 and Kevin 10, go to St. Philomena's Catholic Schools. The boys all got jobs; first delivering newspapers and then setting pins in a bowling alley. Prior to going into Cathedral Latin High School, John insisted that Mark take dancing lessons at Arthur Murray's. This enabled Mark to meet the girls in the many Catholic High Schools in the area.