WINSTON-SALEM – Timothy Kenan Kelly, 61, of Winston-Salem, N.C., passed from this life Aug. 5, 2016, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Care Home in Winston-Salem.
He was born Nov. 1, 1954, in Wilmington, N.C., the beloved son of the late Stephen D. Kelly and Lillian Murphy Kelly. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Martha Ann Kelly, and his brother, Stephen D. Kelly Jr.
Family and friends knew him to be engaging and loyal, with a deep love of travel and adventure. His love of cruises was renowned, as he would go boating though all the Caribbean Islands at the drop of a hat. People were warmed by his distinctive laugh and sense of humor. He served as the family historian, able to recall with incredible detail the evolution of the Kelly and Murphy clan from Ireland to the shores of North Carolina and beyond, along with names, dates and locations of all those family members.
In Winston-Salem he volunteered for various organizations. He was particularly proud of his work with the Happy Hills Animal Foundation. He was happiest recalling and telling stories of his family about the good times.
A graduate of New Hanover High School, he spent three summers studying at Oxford College in Oxford, England, as part of a student exchange program. There he fell in love with England and with English and Irish history. He spent his business career in the clothing and fashion industry in various sales and management positions. He was most proud of his time with Belk as a buyer.
Mr. Kelly leaves to mourn and treasure his memory his close, personal friend of 35 years, Bill Beard of Winston-Salem, N.C.; his brother, Thomas H. Kelly (Ginny) of Simsbury, Conn.; his nephews, Thomas H. Kelly II (Kimberly) of Charlottesville, Va., William Kenan Kelly of Natick, Mass., Bryan Kelly of Wilmington, N.C.; nieces, Tina Powell (Gene) of Wilmington, N.C., Sandra Geer of Wilmington, N.C., Tracy Eames (Steve) of Wilmington, N.C.; and numerous loving cousins.
There will be a gathering of family and friends for visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, at Andrews Mortuary, 1617 Market St., Wilmington, N.C. Burial will be at noon Saturday, Aug. 13, at Clay Hill Cemetery in, Greenevers, N.C.
Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.