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Austin Leonard
1938 - 2025
BORN
1938
DIED
2025
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Austin Leonard Obituary
08/22/2025
Austin Leonard Kelley, 87, of Goshen, died on Friday, Aug. 22nd, 2025. He leaves his loving wife of 63 years Marlene (Sterling) Kelley after a lengthy illness.
"Len" as he was fondly known by many was born on July 15th, 1938 to Harold and Elinor Kelley in Riverton. He grew up in Winsted and attended the Gilbert School. He then joined the Navy and served for 4 years onboard the submarine USS Picuda where he became a licensed electrician. After marrying he moved to Goshen where he spent the remainder of his years.
Len worked as an electrician for several manufacturers including Hudson Wire in Winsted, Alco in Burrville, and finished his career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. His hobbies included foraging for wild foods, gardening, reading, bike riding, hiking, fishing, and apple picking. He will be especially missed for his quick wit and wry sense of humor which he retained to the end. The ocean was something else that Len loved and the family spent many summers camping in Rhode Island enjoying time at the beach, eating local seafood, and exploring the seashore.
In addition to his wife Marlene he leaves two daughters, Lorie (Kelley) Paniati and her husband Jim Paniati of New Hartford, Karen (Kelley) Lapointe and her husband Rick Lapointe of Winsted, one son Kevin Kelley and his fiancée Jen Meach of Winsted; fourteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; seven siblings; Patricia Cappabianca, Thomas Kelley, Terrence Kelley, Joan Tully, Kathy Kelley, Sharon Rich, and Dennis Kelley; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by five siblings: Harold Kelley, Richard Kelley, Clifford Kelley, William Kelley, and Elinor Dodge.
Calling hours will be on Friday August 29th from 10-11 a.m. at the Phalen Funeral Home in Torrington. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. and burial will follow at the Hall Meadow Cemetery in Goshen.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Hospital. To send the Kelley family an online condolence, kindly visit phalenfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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