QUEENSBURY – Jeffrey L. Kelley passed away on November 13th, 2024 at Fort Hudson Nursing Center, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born on December 24th, 1944 in Glens Falls New York, Jeff was the son of the late Edwin A. Kelley, Jr. and Lucille (Ellsworth) Weaver. Jeff graduated from Cortland High School, class of 1963. After high school the family moved to Niskayuna, New York where he graduated with an Associates Degree in Construction Technology from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, class of 1965.
Jeff became a self-employed carpenter working for Ken Wood and Finch Pruyn, building homes in Queensbury and the local area.
In August 1965, Jeff enlisted in the New York Air National Guard and served his term being honorably discharged in August 1971 as a Staff Sergeant.
On April 22, 1967 Jeff married Nancy L. Dougrey and remained married for 29 years, raising three wonderful children, Andrea Kelley-Putnam, Michael E. Kelley and Kathaleen Kelley-Fröhlich.
In 1967 Jeff began working at Northern Homes, Inc. of Hudson Falls, New York. During his 24 years at Northern Homes, he was an estimator, a retail manager and a purchasing agent. In 1991 Jeff purchased Lox of Bagels & Moor and successfully operated the business for 11 years before selling it to its current owners. During this time he met Sally A. Chase, whom he married on September 30, 1998.
Jeff re-entered the lumber business, working for Holbrook Lumber Company, Inc. in Albany, New York, where he remained until his retirement.
Jeff was involved in many community activities. He was a one year member of the North Queensberry Volunteer Fire Company and a five-year member of Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire Company. Jeff was also a Secretary of the Homebuilders Association of Northern New York and a past President of the Salmon Pond Club of Glens Falls, New York. In his spare time, he was an active participant in the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Warren County program from 1981 to 1986 and then served as the Board Treasurer from 1987- 1989.
Jeff is predeceased by his wife, Sally A Kelley, who passed away on June 23rd, 2012. Jeff is survived by his first wife, Nancy Kelley and their three children, Andrea Kelley-Putnam, her husband James Putnam, Michael Kelley and his husband Tsz Wan (Eric) Cheng and Kathaleen Kelley-Fröhlich and her husband William Fröhlich, as well as his grandson, Jack Putnam, son of Andrea and James Putnam. Jeff is also survived by his brother Gregory Weaver, Greg’s wife Roberta (Bobbie) Weaver and their two children, Angela and Daniel Weaver.
Jeff will be remembered most for his love of the outdoors. As an avid hiker, Jeff climbed many of the Adirondack High Peaks. He also loved to canoe and would often take his children on trips deep into the heart of the Adirondacks. Jeff’s love of the outdoors, cannot be underestimated. In the summers, he could often be found on one of his boats, cruising along Lake George with friends and family. He also loved the Winter and would travel to Quebec, Canada to snowmobile for weeks at a time across the open plains. He was an avid bike rider, skier, and in his younger days, a jogging enthusiast. From riding motorcycles as a young adult to the love of his Corvette in later years, Jeff always had a passion for speed. Jeff will be remembered most as a kind man who loved his family very much.
Friends may call from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family at Pine View Cemetery in Queensbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit, Fort Hudson Nursing Center, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY, 12828 or online at: https://www.forthudson.com/foundation/