Obituary of Christopher M. Kelley

Christopher M. Kelley, 60, of Syracuse, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 7^th.  He was born May 12^th, 1959 in Oneida, NY. He was the son of the late Francis Edwin Kelley and Mary Katherine “Kay” Kelley.  Chris was a lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, and graduate of Corcoran High School. He retired from Onondaga County Van Duyn Home and Hospital after 30 years of employment as Facilities Engineer. Chris greatly enjoyed camping, boating, and mastering the perfect campfire. His life revolved around spending time with family and friends.  Chris will be remembered for his quick-witted humor and willingness to lend a hand.

He was very knowledgeable in home remodeling, even getting his Home Inspectors license as a post retirement hobby.  He was often called on by friends and neighbors in DIY projects or when somebody didn’t have the right tool.

His daring demeanor and risk taking as a teenager, led to his love and passion for fast cars and off-road SUV’s.  He will always be remembered for his love of Toyota Land Cruisers and the joy they brought him.

Chris, like his mother Kay, was fond of daily trips to Wegmans to just pick something up for dinner which often led to conversations with old friends and neighbors from the Strathmore area.

Anytime Chris would show up unexpectedly for a social visit and to check in on his friends or family he was always “just passing through” leaving conversation brief, but always making it a routine to never distant a loved one.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine (Dygert) Kelley; daughters, Morgan (Erik) Siewert, Mary Kate (Matthew) Rudy; sister, Anne (Paul) Anderson; brothers, Jon (Irina) Kelley, Stephen Kelley, and Mark Kelley; three grandchildren, Jack, Madeline, and Evan, several nieces and nephews, and his German Shepherd Mya.

Private services will be held. Burial will be in Stockbridge Cemetery Munnsville, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to the Foodbank of CNY, 7066 Interstate Island Rd, Syracuse, NY 13209.