George F. Kelley

George F. Kelley died peacefully in the presence of his family on February 28, 2016 in Concord, NH at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn M. (Young) Kelley and his three children, Nancy K. Beaton and her husband Jeffrey D. Beaton of Mansfield, MA, Margaret E. (Peggy) Kelley of Bedford, NH and Charles G. (Chuck) Kelley of Gilmanton, NH. He also leaves four grandchildren, Alyssa C. Mulcahy, Jonathan J. Gottwald, Meghan E. Beaton, and Benjamin K. Gottwald; a great grandchild, Ella L. Mulcahy; and siblings, Harriet E. Kelley of Boscawen, NH, John S. Kelley of Danvers, MA, and Mary G. Alex of West Yarmouth, MA.

George was born on December 24, 1920 in Gilmanton, NH to Charles G. Kelley and Hattie (Page) Kelley. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1943 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Carolyn M. Young in 1958. They had 57 happy years together in Ipswich and Hamilton, MA and Gilmanton and Concord, NH. George Kelley worked for General Electric Co. for 40 years as a mechanical engineer in their Steam Turbine Division in Lynn, MA until his retirement in 1985. He was also a founding member of the General Electric New Hampshire Association of Retirees.

George loved his family and events when they could gather to celebrate family milestones and his New Hampshire heritage. He loved to travel, especially historical sites and our national parks. He loved sailing and, in his younger years, could often be found sailing with his family off the Massachusetts shoreline. He loved to sing and was a member of several church choirs and local choral societies.

He loved his hometown of Gilmanton. He helped preserve the Kelley Schoolhouse; the one-room schoolhouse that he attended as a child. He served on several town committees, including Trustees of Trust Funds, Zoning Board, and Gilmanton Historical Society. He was instrumental in funding and building the permanent Gilmanton Year-round Library. He created the Charles G. Kelley Memorial Forest in honor of his late father.

He enjoyed the Havenwood-Heritage Heights community, which gave him and his wife many fond memories and great friends. He was active in this community as well, volunteering in their library, on their Wish Committee and in many other areas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gilmanton Year-round Library, 1385 NH Route 140, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837 or the First Baptist Society, c/o 9 NH Route 129, Gilmanton, NH 03237.

A memorial service/celebration of his life will be held on May 14th at 11:00 a.m. at the Lower Gilmanton Church, Province Road (Route 107), Gilmanton. A private burial will follow.

Arrangements under the direction of Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, NH.