A retired Mountie is looking for the relatives of a constable who served in Halifax eight decades ago.

Retired Staff Sgt. Thomas Lowe wants to invite family members of Const. John F. Kelly to an upcoming dedication ceremony.

Kelly was an RCMP constable when he died of tuberculosis on Jan. 28, 1933. He was 32 years old.

Lowe spotted Kelly's grave marker at the Olivet Cemetery in Halifax two years ago. As a member of the RCMP Veterans' Association of Nova Scotia, he helps to identify and maintain the gravesites of retired Mounties.

Lowe was able to glean some information about Kelly through old marriage and death certificates. For instance, Kelly had three brothers, a wife and a child who died in infancy.

But Lowe couldn't get all the information he wanted.

"At the time when he was born, the province didn't maintain birth records. For some reason, through austerity, I've learned through the people in the archives, it was too costly," Lowe said.

Lowe's group plans to add a regimental plaque to Kelly's grave. Members would like Kelly's relatives to be there.

"We're going to refurbish this existing stone because some of the lettering is faded and some of it needs to be re-engraved and coloured," Lowe said.

Lowe said if no one from Kelly's family comes forward, members will proceed with a ceremony in September.

With files from The Canadian Press