Frank Kelley (Passed away 1 Dec 2017)

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FrankThe Mission To Seafarers

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Location
Chelmsford Crematorium Writtle Road Chelmsford CM1 3BL
Date
17th Jan 2018
Time
11am
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In loving memory of Frank Kelley who sadly passed away on 1st December 2017, aged 94.
Frank was husband to Harriet and father to Howard and Martin. He served as a radio officer in the Merchant Navy during the war and his love of the sea never left him. Later he worked at Coastal Radio stations and then in London in Ship Inspection.
He was involved in society as a local councilor, a magistrate and as the President of the Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society. Only recently did he give up riding his bicycle, often swearing that his long life was due mainly to the two Bs; beer and bicycle. Leaving six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, he will be greatly missed.

Margaret Kelley donated £30 in memory of Frank

Frank was my dad for 40 years. I remember the first time we met, with me very nervous, a feeling which increased as he viewed me from the top of a ladder with a "so where is this foreigner?". I didn't need to worry...
He loved life and had an unshakable faith in the basic goodness of the human race. He disliked any hint of tribalism.
Not one to "terriblise" things, he was willing to be happy, to enjoy life and other people's company. We were proud of the way he remained active, both in body and mind, even though his outings on the bike in later life (at times in icy weather) filled us with dread. He didn't tend to"do"aches and pains and soldiered on, often returning from his walk into town with a bunch of flowers.
I will remember our Christmases together; his love for Mum, his love of literature and music, and his way with words; his recitations of amusing poems; Morse Code messages tapped out on a table; our discussions, at times heated, as he played devil's advocate; his insistence that we were all road users supported by him walking some way off the edge of the road, our outing to the pub and our Spanish trips, his fierce desire to remain independent ...
xxx

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Michael Kelley wrote

I always hated it when Grandad joked about not needing a clean shirt in the morning. It brought to the forefront of my mind the mortality of someone dearly loved and whom I would sorely miss in my life. I would always boast to my friends, firstly in London later in Spain, that my Grandad still rides his bike 15km to the pub for trusty ham and mustard sandwich with the odd IPA to wash it down. An activity that I greatly enjoyed sharing with him even if I had to cycle from hackney to the leather bottle and back to do so, the company always made it worthwhile.
Catching frogs and letting goldfish nibble my fingers in the garden pond. Childhood races from lamppost to lamppost. Rambling through 2metre high rape fields in Essex´s finest and to be issued with plastic bag for our feet upon arrival. His weekly menu with fish on Saturday´s planned to perfection to not waste a morsel. Grandad dancing the night away at my wedding with every Spanish lady. At 90 diving head first into the Mediterranean and swimming off. His political soundbites; that all motorists should compulsorily cycle for a year before being allowed near a car and the sound assertion that we´re all just human beings and the rest is just tribalism.
Miss you Grandad.

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David Hutchings donated in memory of Frank

Thank you, Frank, for some great memories during those cruises! Bet you are still dancing - and with a pint of real ale in your hand!
Over and out,
David

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Andy Pye donated £50 in memory of Frank

Legend! Sorely missed.

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Barry Hurst posted a picture
Friends of Essex Churches sponsored bike ride 2007

Friends of Essex Churches sponsored bike ride 2007

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Barry Hurst wrote

I am proud to say that Frank was my friend for 45 years. Throughout those years we shared many happy hours in each other’s company discussing a wide range of topics from philosophy, through politics to football, usually with a beer close by!
He was a practicing Christian and possessed a strong moral compass; this together with his great good common sense resulted in him being a wise counsellor to many, not least myself.
Frank was a well-read man but he was particularly fond of Charles Dickens’s work, which appealed to his socialist principals. He put these principals into practice serving as Magistrate, Councillor, volunteer Mental Heath Act Manager and Meals-on-Wheels driver, the latter well into his 80’s. He was also a lover of classical music and poetry of many different genres from Wordsworth to Hilaire Belloc whom he often quoted for our delight.
I shall miss him greatly; God Bless you Frank – N.S.A.C.

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David Paterson wrote

Many happy memories of Smithfield lunches. RIP Frank.

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Roger and Lynda Taplin wrote

Very sorry to hear this, Frank was a very jolly gentleman on the cruises. He was the life and soul of any gathering that we had. We are glad he had the opportunity to represent the Merchant Navy at the Royal Albert Hall which he did with great pride. He will be sadly missed by All at Maritime Memories.

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