Robert Kelsey

1937 - 2016

Robert J. Kelsey, Sr.

Haines City, FL - Robert J. Kelsey, Sr, 78, formerly of Southbridge, MA passed away January 28th at Florida Hospital Orlando due to complications of heart surgery. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Diane L. Podles Kelsey, a son Robert J. Kelsey, Jr of Vernon, CT, and a daughter Erica Tortis of Worcester, MA. His sister Edna McNary predeceased him.

Born in Schenectady, NY on June 26, 1937, he was the son of the late Alfred and Winifred (Breitenstein) Kelsey of Delmar, NY. He has lived in Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Club, Haines City, FL for the past 9 years.

Bob was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School, Delmar, NY. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the 1950s. After his stint in the service, Bob went to work for IBM in Kingston, New York. Not wanting a desk job, he left and went to work for Colgate-Palmolive Company in their Institutional Department. After 11 years with Colgate he started his own independent marketing and sales company out of his home, worked sales for the former Carter Home Improvement in East Brookfield, Ma, and ended his career selling handicap mobility products.



While living in Southbridge, Bob was president of his town house community's Board of Trustees for 13 years. In Sweetwater Bob worked in the Pub and Pro Shop. He also was a volunteer for the Polk County Sheriff's Community Assisted Patrol, for the Sweetwater Security force, was past president of the Resource and Grounds Committee, and for the Polk County Supervisor of Elections. For the past 34 years he especially enjoyed summers camping on the Cape Cod Canal, where he was an avid recreational lobsterman and clammer, on Douglas Reservoir In Douglas, MA , and, most recently, in Wells, ME.



There will be a Memorial Service February 19th in the Sweetwater Ballroom at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to "Newspaper with a Heart", P.O. Box 408 , Lakeland FL 33802 or online at http://www.ledgerdata.com/newspaper-with-a-heart/ To leave a condolence message visit www.oakridgefuneralcare.com