Michael ("Mike") Brian Kelley passed away on May 30th, 2024. On that warm Spring evening, surrounded by his loved ones, Mike peacefully slipped from his mooring and let the tempest inside carry him to calmer seas.

Mike went by many names: husband, dad, son, brother, friend; "G-Pa!", "Grandpop", "Big Mike", "Pop", "Michael B.", "MikeKelley", "Father-In-Law!", and "Yo Bro!", to name a few. While his name may have varied, Mike's character did not. He was a hardworking, family man who was always willing to go above and beyond for the people in his life. No matter the situation, somehow Mike was always able to find a solution or a way forward – and those around him often relied on this certainty. Mike also had a zeal for life that was contagious. He could be heard saying "life is not a dress rehearsal", while encouraging those around him to seize opportunities and make the most of life because "we'd only get one shot at it".

Among Mike's many passions, boating and all things nautical were his favorite. From a young age, Mike could be found on the swift waters of the Rancocas Creek, molding himself into the future image of an expert captain, a seafaring "Salty Dog". Mike shared his love and respect for the water with his family and friends. He was most comfortable at the helm with a boat full of those he loved smiling and laughing as the spray from the water danced across their sun-kissed faces. Everyone knew Mike was at the zenith of joy when he bellowed from the cockpit, "Arrgggh".

There was nothing in life, however, that Mike cared for more than his family. In Julie (née Carey), Mike found his forever love. Mike and Julie created their "dream home by the sea" on the banks of the Rancocas, where they spent all the long days of their life together watching their children, grandchildren, and beloved dogs playing in the backyard. Beyond the beautiful life they built for each other, Mike and Julie's greatest achievement was bringing together two families who share a love that is bigger and stronger than any ties of blood. Mike leaves behind Julie to tend this love with their children: Erin (Nick), Brianna (Regire), and Michael (Ashley); and their grandchildren: Domenic, Nicholas, Violet, Ella, Eóin, Kathryn, and Méabh. Mike also leaves behind countless family and friends who will miss him dearly and will remember him as a great man. Mike is predeceased by his mother, Dolores (née Gerner), father, Charles, and older brother, Steven.

Mike was born in Philadelphia, PA and then moved with his family to Willingoro, NJ where he spent his youth in Willingboro schools and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1975. After high school, Mike held various jobs before beginning what would become a long and successful career in cable: first with Store Cable and eventually with Comcast. Mike worked his way up the ranks in Comcast, all the while meeting lifelong friends who would still be in his life long after Comcast. Apart from work, Mike dedicated much of his time to being an active and contributing member of the Edgewater Park Elks. Through the Elks, Mike developed his closest and most enduring friendships while spending innumerable hours helping charities and leading initiatives sponsored by the club. Mike's time with the Elks is counted among the most fulfilling and enriching of his life.

While working was a large part of Mike's identify for a part of his life, he never lost sight of what was most important: love. Mike loved hard and those who were fortunate enough to be loved by him were all the better for it. In honor of this love, family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Mike's life on Saturday, June 15th at 2pm, at Mike and Julie's house. Please contact 609-502-1554 for more information.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mike's name to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.

"Day is ended, dim my eyes,
but journey long before me lies.
Farewell, friends! I hear the call.
The ship's beside the stony wall.
Foam is white and waves are grey;
beyond the sunset leads my way.
Foam is salt, the wind is free;
I hear the rising of the Sea.

Farewell, friends! The sails are set,
the wind is east, the moorings fret.
Shadows long before me lie,
beneath the ever-bending sky,
but islands lie behind the Sun
that I shall raise ere all is done;
lands there are to west of West,
where night is quiet and sleep is rest.

Guided by the Lonely Star,
beyond the utmost harbour-bar,
I'll find the heavens fair and free,
and beaches of the Starlit Sea.
Ship, my ship! I seek the West,
and fields and mountains ever blest…"

-        Tolkien