Mick’s father. A kind but sad man who once worked as a carpenter and housepainter but now, due to an injury, works as a watchmaker and jewelry repair man. Mr. Kelly is often lonely in spite of his many children and full house of boarders, and particularly longs to connect with Mick. Constantly worried about money at the start of the novel, Mr. Kelly’s troubles worsen after Bubber accidentally injures Baby Wilson, leading Lucile, Baby’s mother, to demand regular payment from the Kelly family to account for Baby’s medical bills.