Stephen J. Kelley

Stephen Joseph Kelley, 77, of Carlisle, MA and Fort Pierce, FL passed away peacefully at home on January 12, 2026 after a short illness with ALS.

Steve was born in Tewksbury, MA, to Albert S. Kelley and Elizabeth G. Kelley (Brown), who predeceased him. Shortly after Steve was born, his parents moved to Wakefield, MA where he spent his childhood and early years of his marriage.

Steve is survived by his wife, Margaret "Margo" (Hurley) Kelley, the love of his life of 49 years. After marriage, Steve and Margo moved to Carlisle, MA where Steve designed and built their home of 40 years. Their home is a reflection of Steve's hard work and ingenuity. There was nothing Steve could not do. Whenever any friends needed help, Steve was there. He was known for his kind and generous nature, his dynamic problem-solving abilities and his long career in the high-technology industry as a mechanical engineer.

Steve graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and Rivier University. Steve was a 23-year veteran of the Coast Guard Reserves. During the Vietnam War, he was assigned as port security for Boston, where he boarded and inspected ships entering the port. For many years, Steve was a sailing coach for Special Olympics where his team won gold medals nine years in a row.

Steve was an avid sailor, skier, golfer, bicyclist, kayaker, hiker, scuba diver and runner. Steve and Margo sailed their beloved sailboat, Mairead, twice from MA to the Bahamas where they spent nine months each time sailing from island to island. Steve's friends knew and trusted Steve's sailing ability and asked him to help sail their boats to Bermuda, Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand and Portugal. Steve and Margo spent their winters in FL, where they continued to enjoy their love of the water.

Steve loved to travel. Whether it was hiking in Nepal, backpacking in grizzly territory in Alaska and Glacier National Park or hang gliding in Peru, no destination was too adventurous for Steve.

In addition to his wife, Margo, Steve is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Michael Kelley of Groton, N.H.; Patricia MacDonald (Jon) of Goffstown, N.H.; David Kelley (Michele) of North Reading, MA; Nancy Adams of Manchester, N.H.; and Theresa Longo (Richie) his sister-in-law of Boynton Beach, FL , as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

No formal services are planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve's honor to Compassionate Care ALS. Please click here to donate online or make checks payable to CCALS and mail to:

CCALS

P.O. Box 1052

West Falmouth, MA 02574

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.