Harvey R. Kelley Sr.

BERNARD - Harvey Raymond Kelley Sr., 93, died Dec. 25, 2009, at his home. He was born June 1, 1916, in Bernard, the son of Shirley R. and Cora M. (Berry) Kelley. Harvey attended Bernard schools and graduated from Williams High School, Oakland. Harvey then went to Farmington Normal School where his education helped prepare him for his first teaching job at Islesford. During his teaching career, he continued his education at Boston University. In 1940, Harvey married Louise Hattie Thurston. They taught together in Trevett. In 1941, he became the principal of Pemetic Grammar School until 1943. He then served as principal in Lynnfield (Mass.) Grammar School, and from there taught at Boothbay Harbor High School and coached varsity basketball. He left Boothbay to assume the position of dean of instruction at Farmington State Teachers College. For 23 years of his teaching career he worked as a yacht captain in the summers. On leaving Farmington in 1952, he engaged in reporting for Rockland Courier Gazette. In the mid-1950s he returned to his true calling - the welfare and education of young people, accepting the principal's job at South School, Rockland, where he remained until 1960. During that time he moved his family to live aboard the schooner Mabel in Camden Harbor. From South School, Harvey went to Norwalk, Conn., as principal of the new and innovative Fox Run School, where he worked tirelessly toward the success of the town's newly mandated school integration plan. Because there were no favorable anchorages to accommodate a young family with two daughters and a son, sadly schooner Mabel was left behind. On returning to Maine, he was editor of the Republican Journal, Belfast. However, as before, Harvey preferred working for the growth and well being of the youth and left to serve as principal of Swanville, East Side and Governor Anderson Schools in MSAD 34. During those summers he served as first mate of Tug Clyde Holmes thus pursuing his love for the sea. Retirement from school administration provided Harvey the opportunity to follow his many interests. He served as an interim principal three times at Pemetic Grammar School and once in Northeast Harbor. He pursued his desire to see continued growth in the education of youth by serving as supervisor to student teachers studying at the University of Maine. He did this for 23 years. For many years he served as selectman for the town of Tremont. He was emissary for the town of Tremont along with two others from Mount Desert Island who went to Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to establish Acadia National Park Advisory Commission. He was a founding member of the commission and served as its chairman from 1998 until 2001. Harvey was an active member of Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bass Harbor Historical Society and Lion's Club, Mount Desert Island. In 2006, the town of Tremont presented Harvey a Good Citizenship Award. This award, now named the Harvey Kelley Good Citizenship Award, has been presented to a Tremont citizen each year since then in recognition of outstanding service to the town. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Louise; a son, Harvey R. Kelley Jr. and wife, Dianne, of Sullivan; two daughters, Carolyn Gothard of Bernard and Margaret Jones of Northport; five grandchildren, Laurel Laster of Hamden, Conn., Jennifer Zoehler of Lebanon, Tenn., Daniel Cummings of Waldoboro, Carrie Bachman of Minneapolis and Colin Kelley of Sullivan; 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Frederick Kenney of Hope Valley, R.I.; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Keniston of Falmouth, Lillian McNeil of Thomaston and Ruth Stevens of Rockland; several nieces and nephews, and special nephew, John Upham and wife, LeeAnn, of Thomaston. He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Kenney; grandson, Raymond Cummings; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Robinson; and brother-in-law, Edward Thurston. The family thanks Dr. Julian Kuffler, the staff of Hospice of Hancock County and Hancock County Home Care and Hospice, and Andrea Kelley, for all their loving care and support. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert, with the Rev. John MacDuffie officiating. Private spring interment will be at Lopaus Point Cemetery, Bernard. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that those who desire make contributions to Hospice of Hancock County, 14 McKenzie Ave., Ellsworth, ME 04605 or Tremont Recreation Board for children's programs, P.O. Box 65, Bernard, ME 04612. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.