Paul Edwin Kelley

Paul E. Kelley of Conklin, NY, was called home by his Lord and Savior on October 17, 2025, at the age of 81. He is survived by his cherished wife of 59 years, Joan. He was predeceased by his parents, Alberta Stonestreet and Clarence Kelley.
Paul grew up in Hinman's Corners and attended Chenango Valley High School. He and Joan married in 1966 and lived in the Binghamton area until they moved to Conklin in 1973, where they bought their "fixer-upper." The two country kids were happy to be out of the city and quickly realized they were in Conklin to stay. The fixer-upper was perfect for Paul, a jack-of-all-trades who loved building, carpentry work, and tinkering on anything of a mechanical nature.
Paul was always working on a project and loved doing repair work for his family and friends. In his early years, he worked in automotive repair and lumberyards, and went on to work for Fairbanks Valve. He was happy to join the Carpenters' Union and, for many years, did millwright work, often being sent to Elmira, NY, and into Pennsylvania to do the work he excelled at and enjoyed.
Paul and Joan loved to do many of the same things. They often jumped on the biggest Honda motorcycle Paul could find and loved biking and tent camping all over the country. They also enjoyed owning a camper, traveling far and wide, but especially loved the weekend jaunts to the Delaware area and Bethany Beach. Traveling from New York to Florida, then to Iowa, Iowa to Michigan, and finally to Canada, Maine, and all the New England states was an adventure they both loved.
Over the years, Paul owned four different motorcycles-his favorite mode of transportation-even with his deep love for old cars; they were just so easy for him to tinker with. A longtime friend, also named Paul, introduced him to "antique" cars, and over the years, he and Joani enjoyed the camaraderie that accompanies car clubs, car shows, and parades. He also excelled at leatherwork, and friends treasured his generous gifts of leather wallets, purses, and crafts. He was always so good to those he loved.
Paul was very proud to be a lifetime member of the Conklin Vol. Fire Department. Determined to do something for his community, he joined the department in the late '70s, early '80s, and served as an active firefighter until illness and back problems tried to sideline him. When he could no longer fight fires, he served with the fire police. Regardless of how he felt, until recently, you would find him directing traffic at the scene of an accident, flood, or fire, no matter what the weather. The fire department provided a second family for Paul and Joan. He was also supportive of Joan and her activities, especially when they involved the church or the fire department.
Paul was concerned about his relationship with the Lord. In 2006, he began to get involved at First Church of the Nazarene in Hillcrest. He and Joan were greeters at church, happy to welcome all who came through the church doors. They helped prepare luncheons and regularly prepared communion. Paul enjoyed a good discussion on spiritual matters and didn't hesitate to say he was a believer in Jesus Christ.
In addition to his beloved wife Joan, Paul is survived by a sister, Leona Kelley; treasured cousins George Ross and Jackie Howard, his godson Timothy Howard, Heather Clifford, who is like a dear daughter to both Paul and Joan; nieces, nephews and his weekly coffee buddies: Ray, Fred, and Bill.
A Memorial Service for Paul will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Binghamton First Church of the Nazarene, 1282 Chenango Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. The service will conclude with the conferral of Military Honors by the United States Navy. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 am – 10:50 am.
Instead of Flowers, please consider a donation to Mercy House, 212 N. McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.
Arrangements are by Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home, Binghamton, NY. The family is grateful for the help and support given by Kurt Eschbach.
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