Richard "Rick" McKelvey

Richard "Rick" McKelvey

Conway, MA - Richard (Rick) Miller McKelvey passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Sadly, Rick was felled by a brief illness just five weeks after proudly and smilingly walking his daughter Meaghan down the aisle.

A long-time resident of Conway, Rick was born on July 31,1960, the second of five siblings, to Joan (Miller) McKelvey and Rev. G. Richard McKelvey.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Lynn (Jordan) McKelvey, son Matthew and his wife Erica McKelvey, and daughter Meaghan (McKelvey) Lustberg and her husband Ryan Lustberg.

Rick was a graduate of Deerfield Academy, St. Lawrence University (earning a B.A. in psychology) and earned his M.B.A. from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Trained in the foundations of business, Rick gained a passion for budgeting (family inside joke) and a talent for sales and marketing that would lead him to become one of the most well-known executives in the then-nascent natural foods industry. He began his business career in1990 as one of the first employees of Greenfield-based Lightlife Foods where, for 10 years, he grew the company through the launch of products including Tofu Pups and Smart Dogs (still the country's #1 plant-based hot dog).

Rick was highly respected for his business integrity and acumen and was a highly sought-after consultant. He and co-author Bob Burke literally wrote the book on all facets of sales and marketing within natural foods titled, The Natural Products Field Manual. Rick spent hundreds of hours updating the book every few years, which eventually grew to 9 editions. Rick's most rewarding work of his storied career was his current one, Toronto-based O'Dough's, where he was VP of Sales & Marketing for 13+ years. He particularly delighted in having his son Matthew working under him, building the business and learning from his expertise, for the past 7 years.

Rick was a lover of animals as well as strangers. A barn attached to his garage has housed horses, goats and dogs and Rick was always sensitive to make sure each animal always had a companion/playmate. He also genuinely liked striking up conversations with strangers, many of whom would quickly become friends (this was especially the case with owners of Cape Cod's more popular restaurants!). Rick was a devout Episcopalian with a strong faith and a kind heart; he would have made a fine disciple.

Rick also loved the Cape and spending family time there. When his children were tots, he started family vacationing at Seaside in South Yarmouth. Before long, other family members and their children joined them, and it quickly became a summer tradition that lasted over two decades.

Rick was a scrappy Pedroia -esque athlete, playing varsity basketball and baseball at Deerfield Academy. Legend has it Rick hit a homerun in his very first Old Deerfield Little League at bat, and then some six years later homered in his very last at-bat for Deerfield Academy. Ironically, these were the only two homers Rick hit! He was enjoyed skiing and golf, especially his annual "boys" golf trips with his tight-knit group of life-long St. Lawrence friends.

Rick is survived by his mother Joan McKelvey of Greenfield, and siblings Stephen McKelvey (Diane) of Belchertown, MA, Mark McKelvey (Kim) of West Boylston, MA, Kevin McKelvey (Liza) of Venice, FL and Kathy (McKelvey) Burke (Patrick) of Portsmouth, RI, sister-in-law Susan (Jordan) Finn (Dan) and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday October 22, 2025, at 11 AM at The Churches of St. James and Andrew, 8 Church St., Greenfield, MA. Immediately following the funeral there will be a reception at Terrazas Restaurant, 244 Country Club Rd.,Greenfield. Burial will be private.

Calling hours will be Tuesday October 21, 2025, from 4-6 PM at Kostanski Funeral Home 220 Federal St. Greenfield. MA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com