Joshua James Kellett

Joshua James Kellett, 39, of New Britain, beloved son of Frank James and Kate Graf Kellett of Farmington, CT, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Joshua was born in Calcutta, India. In August 1986, he made the long trip home to the United Sates and was joyfully welcomed by his family. On June 8, 1987, Joshua and his family celebrated the finalization of his adoption and on May 13, 1988, he received his Certificate of Naturalization, another major milestone that was celebrated by all who loved him.
Joshua was raised in Farmington, CT. He made many lifelong friends at school and while attending Renbrook Summer Adventure as a camper. From his earliest years through high school, he attended Valley Community Baptist Church where he participated in Boys Brigade with the Pinewood Derby being a highlight of each year. He continued to participate in Valley's youth ministry through high school. While at Farmington High, Joshua was a member of the crew team as a coxswain under the coaching of Dr. Laura Butterfield and after turning sixteen, he worked as a counselor at Renbrook Summer Adventure for several years until graduation in 2004.
Joshua continued his education at Hofstra University in New York earning a BA in Political Science in May 2008. While at Hofstra, he continued to participate in crew as a coxswain. After graduating from college, Joshua earned a five-year renewable coaching permit and assisted Dr. Butterfield in coaching crew part time. While exploring different employment opportunities, Joshua decided to follow his passion for cooking and became Serv Safe Certified by the National Restaurant Association working under an Executive Chef and several Sous Chefs at Ann Howard's Apricot's Restaurant in Farmington, CT. During this time, Joshua trained and supervised prep cooks and instructed wait-staff and hostesses. Besides working at Apricot's, he worked at the First & Last Tavern in Plainville, CT, Powder Ridge Ski Resort in Middlefield, CT, the 960 Room in Hartford, CT, and Five Corners Bistro in Farmington, CT.
Joshua also loved writing and earned a certification as a Resume Writing Professional and Workforce Development Professional. Starting in 2012, he was employed by the American Job Center as a Career Agent providing intensive case management and was promoted to Online Learning Facilitator becoming a member of the Corporate Social Media Team and Funding Partner's Website design team. In 2016, Joshua was promoted by the America Job Center to Social Media and Public Relations Director and then to Lead Subject Matter Expert/Training Specialist.
Throughout his life, Joshua enjoyed music, attending concerts with his many friends and playing the violin and slide trombone during his school years. He also loved photography and won the Editor's Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Photography presented by the International Library of Photography for his photograph "Flight to Manhattan."
Joshua was known for his kindness and concern for others. On one occasion Joshua received a Citizen's Award in recognition of his extraordinary service to the Farmington Police Department when he placed his own life at risk in an attempt to rescue a drowning man from the Farmington River. Over the years, Joshua loved his many guinea pigs and in 2017 he welcomed Tidas James, an adorable and sweet rat-terrier mix puppy, into his life. Two years later in February 2019, Joshua's son, Carter, was born. Since that happiest of events, Carter and his Dad found many favorite activities to do together including time at a nearby park where Carter liked to ride his scooter and on rainy days lunch at McDonald's where there was an indoor playground. Over the past few years, they built many Lego kits together, did tie-dyeing, and tended Joshua's indoor herb garden.
Joshua will be forever missed by his loving family: parents Frank and Kate Kellett of Farmington, CT; sister Tonya and her son Tim of Weatogue, CT; brother, Christopher M., his wife, Anna, and their children, Sonia and Marcelo of Madison, CT; his young son, Carter T. and Carter's mother, Ashley, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.
A celebration of Joshua's life has been planned on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 1:00-2:00pm with a Memorial Service starting at 2:00pm. This celebration will be held at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT 06001
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Educational Fund for Joshua's son, Carter T. Kellett, additional information for this donation will follow.