Jeffrey David Kelley

Jeffrey David Kelley, Jeff, passed away peacefully at his home in Lewiston, Maine, with his loving sister and brother, Tami Fulcher of Chatham, Massachusetts and Todd Kelley of Glen Spey, New York at his side.

Jeff was born at Cape Cod Hospital on June 28, 1957 and grew up in the small community of Chatham which was rich in family genealogies, local tradition and next generation children. He attended Chatham schools from his kindergarten diploma of “Bachelor of Rhymes” to his Chatham High School diploma Class of 1975. His was the largest class in the history of the Chatham School System and the only class to graduate outside at Veteran’s Field. One day during archery gym class outside, Jeff lined up to shoot his arrow and stuck the bullseye first try. The coach exclaimed “Why Mountain Man Kelley!” and the name was his from that moment on.

He had a mind for being a chef and was a cook at Pate’s Steakhouse and then at the Wayside Inn. Jeff purchased his dream car 1957 Chevy from the lot at Your Father’s Mustache in Dennis Port and soon drove it to Daytona Beach, Florida, to live.

Jeff enlisted in the U.S. Army and graduated basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on 23 September, 1981. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement while attached to the 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewert, Georgia during the exercise “Mojave Victory II” 27 October, 1982.

After his hitch in the army, Jeff moved to Atlanta where he began working for Flowers Bakery. He bought a house in Austell, Georgia, as he worked his way up from the bun lines of the downtown plant to management at a larger new plant outside of Atlanta. He took on new positions, and thus ownership of new homes as well, in Bluefield, West Virginia; Memphis, Tennessee; Goldsboro, North Carolina; Lynchburg, Virginia and Lewiston, Maine.

Throughout his 34-year career with Flowers, Jeff earned numerous Certificates and Awards such as six Company Pinnacle Awards, three silver/ three bronze; as well as his 20-, 25- and 30-years recognition Certificates of Appreciation from three different plants in three different states. His 30 Years recognition was awarded by Lapage Bakeries in Lewiston, 2015. They all echoed the same admiration for his work ethic, dedication and professionalism.

On December 21, 2001, in Bluefield, West Virginia, Jeff took ownership of a new 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Jeff had ridden motorcycles since his younger days but now finally got the bike most suited for him. A Harley Davidson Fat Boy! Jeff wasn’t just a fair-weather rider though. He rode his previous smaller bike commuting from Savannah, Georgia, to Fort Stewert wearing a snowmobile suit and using “hippo hands” weather guards attached to the handlebars. With his Fat Boy he made long highway rides to come home to Cape Cod as well as participating in countless HD events, group rides and rallies all over. He put 145,069 miles on his Fat Boy and emulated the Harley Davidson community as a responsible strong rider.

At some point, while in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Jeff was given a male Labrador pup to which he named Harley. Harley was with him from Goldsboro to Lynchburg to Lewiston, Maine where after Jeff retired, Harley would not leave his side until passing this previous summer at the age of 13.

Through Jeff’s life journey, he was able to return to his New England roots via Lewiston, Maine, as the family would spend many childhood summer vacations at nearby Bryant Pond and its outlying area. With a chuckle of satisfaction and pride, Jeff would wholeheartedly delight in saying Maine’s motto: Welcome to Maine “The way life should be.”

Jeff is survived by his father Roland W. Kelley, 92, of Chatham, siblings Juan Carlos from Santiago, Chile, Tami and husband Brian, Todd and nephews Mike (Heather, Brenden), Jared (Rebecca, Cora, Lydia) and niece Caitlin. Along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins on Cape Cod, northern and western Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Florida. Jeff was predeceased by his mother, Carol Durling Kelley, in 2018. Services will be held at a later date at Chatham, Massachusetts. If so inclined, please make any donations on behalf of Jeff to the charity of your choice.