Richard Lee Kelly

1946 - 2025

Richard Lee Kelly
Richard Lee Kelly, 78, of Cheshire, beloved husband of Carolyn (Weisser) Kelly, passed away on April 11, 2025, of metastatic melanoma. He was born in Cambridge, MA, on August 24, 1946, the son of the late Russell and Muriel Kelly.
Richard received a Bachelor Degree in Business from Point Park College and a Master from George Washington University in Business Financial Management. After college, he joined the US Air Force, serving in Vietnam and achieving the rank of Captain. He was the Flight Crew Commander on the AWACS intelligence system and received several medals, among them the Bronze Star.
While stationed in Sacramento, CA, he met and married his wife, Carolyn. After leaving the military, he began a successful career in the Commercial Mechanical Contracting field, beginning with Limbach Co. and ending as president of MJ Daly Co., in Waterbury, CT. He and Carolyn moved all over the country and welcomed children, Susannah and Adam, along the way.
Richard was a devoted member of the Cheshire United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities. He was a numbers guy and loved serving as treasurer of CUMC for over 12 years. He had a great love for his church family.
Richard's interests included building things, trains, breakfast out with good friend, John, investing talks with Jeff, and working in the yard. Most of all, he loved being with his granddaughter, who brought him great joy. He was so proud of his children and their successes. Family gatherings here, or with West Coast relatives, were always special. Vinalhaven, ME, the island where his mother was born, was the place he returned to time and again and where he felt a great sense of freedom as a kid each summer.
He was a man of great integrity and fairness, admiring those who did their job well, no matter their station in life. He gave people the benefit of the doubt and was kind and generous.
He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Carolyn, his children, Susannah Carter (Hill) and Adam Kelly (Rebecca); his granddaughter, Reese; his sister, Donna Doucette (James), as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Alderson Funeral Home, 615 South Main St., Cheshire, CT. A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 am at Cheshire United Methodist Church, 205 Academy Rd., Cheshire, CT. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to: Memorial Fund, Cheshire United Methodist Church, 205 Academy Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410 or to Disabled American Veterans. To view the full obituary, share a story or leave online condolences, please visit www.fordfh.com .