Donald E. Kelsey formerly of 159 Walnut St Rochester, NH passed away on November 30th in Milford, MA after a prolonged period of failing health.
Born April 7th, 1941 in Portsmouth, NH. He was the son of the late Guy and Thelma Kelsey of Rye, NH.
Although he lived the last seven years in Franklin, MA he was a longtime resident of “Indian Rock Farm” in Rochester, NH. He was a member of the Crown Point Grange, Victory Club, and the Rochester and Franklin, MA B.P.O.E. He was a carpenter by trade, but a farmer from his childhood upbringing. He worked at Runnymede Farm in North Hampton with his father during his childhood and carried on the labor of love at the farm in Rochester. He took over care of the farm from his grand parents Charlotte and George Day in 1967. Leisure time was spent with his family and friends at the camp on Bow Lake in Stafford, NH.
During his younger years he grew up in Rye, NH and graduated from Winnicunnet High School in Hampton, NH in 1959. He was the Senior Class President and captain of the High School football team. He also participated in all four years of high school basketball and track. He resided in North Hampton for six months prior to relocating to Rochester.
His working career started with Walter Biery Construction, Richard Brendamour Construction in Hampton as a carpenter, Seabrook nuclear power plant as a carpenter foreman, Heidelberg Harris in Dover and Jarvis Cutting Tools in Rochester.
He is survived by his son Donald E. Kelsey II of Rochester, his daughter Kristine E. Biagiotti of Franklin, MA, his sister Joann Haynes of Portsmouth, NH, his nephew Robert Parizo of Dover, NH, his niece Kelsey McCarthy, his niece Gylene Salmon, his niece Stacy Pfiester, his cousin Charlene Grasselli of Wareham, MA, his cousin Everett Murphy of Lebanon, ME, three beloved grand-children: Kayla Biagiotti, Shawn Kelsey, and Patrick Kelsey. He was predeceased by his youngest son Daniel in 1975. He will be dearly missed by family and many friends he has met along life’s journey.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in the Kelsey name to Children’s Hospital 1 Autumn Street Suite 731, Boston, MA 02115 or the Michael Lisnow Respite Center 112 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748.
A celebration of life service will be held on December 4th in the chapel at the R.M. Edgerly and Son Funeral Home 86 South Main Street, Rochester, NH. Friends are asked to come share memories from 5-7 p.m. with the memorial service being held at 7:00 p.m.