Premier Pat Binns today expressed sympathy to the family of the late Mike Kelly, Deputy Provincial Treasurer. Mr. Kelly died suddenly yesterday, in Moncton, after he collapsed on his way to a meeting.
"It is a shock and we are saddened by the loss. Mr. Kelly was a very valuable member of the senior management team of government and of tremendous assistance to my government over the past number of months especially in the preparation of the budget," stated Premier Binns "During that process we worked closely with Mike and appreciated his professionalism, his good nature, and his commitment to people. It is reflective of a very distinguished public service career at both the federal and provincial level."
A native of Morell, Mr. Kelly began his career with the federal Department of Manpower and Immigration. He served as Manager of the Campus Employment Centre and Coordinator of Federal-Provincial Relations. He then became Regional Manager of the Job Creation Branch of Employment and Immigration Canada. At the provincial level he served as Manager of Community Resources Division, PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. In 1986 he was appointed Deputy Minister of the PEI Department of Industry, a position he held until August 1989 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
In 1993 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Provincial Affairs and Attorney General and on May 31, 1995 he was appointed Deputy Provincial Treasurer. Following the 1996 general election he was reappointed to the position of Deputy Provincial Treasurer.
At the community level Mr. Kelly maintained a high degree of community service. He was a well known athlete. He served as Treasurer, St. Dunstan's University Board of Governors. He has also served as President of the Sherwood-Parkdale Minor Baseball Association; a baseball coach, Member of the Board of Directors of Sport PEI; President of the PEI Golf Association; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Family Services Bureau.
"On behalf of the government and the employees of the Province of Prince Edward Island, I extend sympathy to members of the Kelly family; his wife Beverly; children Sean and Alison; his father, and sisters. "