Kelly was appointed on February 16, 1955, by Governor
W. Averell Harriman as
New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. He remained in office until March 1959. On June 1, 1961, he was nominated by President
John F. Kennedy as
Collector of the Port of New York. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and took office on July 5, 1961. Kelly was the last person to hold this office which was abolished in 1966 when the structure of the
United States Customs Service was changed. == Death ==