The Greeley Tribune
January 14, 2013
MICHAEL KELLY
May 29, 1960-Dec. 30, 2012
Age: 52
Residence: Windsor
Michael Kelly, of Windsor, passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, after a sudden illness. Born in Del Norte, Colo., Mike graduated from Brighton High School and went on to attain a B.S. in Economics from Colorado State University in 1984.
In 1989, Mike loaded up his Honda Civic and drove to New York to meet his pen pal, Susan, declaring, "She's the woman I'm going to marry." While starting a family, Mike acquired his C.P.A. license and worked as controller in several Manhattan firms including an advertising firm, Bohbot Communications; a gourmet food prep company, Gourmet Boutique; and a home décor firm, Croscill. Always seeking to improve himself, Mike went on to acquire his Masters Degree in Education from Hofstra University in 2004, with the thought that someday he might move on to teaching or school administration.
After years of yearning to return to his native Colorado, Mike finally, in 2004, got his wish, moving his family, with four young sons, Sean, Daniel, Thomas, and Christian to Windsor.
Mike reveled in living "large." It was a defining characteristic. A party would be a weekend event, abundant in food, family, and friends. A trip to the gym involved lifting 285 pounds, with an eye on 300. Halloween decorating was a neighborhood affair: the Kelly home, on Teal Court, was known for Mike's over-the-top, creative Halloween display. No one did Christmas shopping like Mike, who once, when living in Long Island, N.Y., drove to Freeport, Maine, to shop the outlets and came back with a car packed with presents. Dirt biking, skiing, snowblading, jet-skiing, even competing in the Clydesdale class of a triathlon: Mike's favorite gear was overdrive.
Mike brought the same level of energy and purpose to serving his community. At various times, he was a member of Windsor Town Board, the Poudre Trail River Board, the Aims Foundation Board, the Colorado Department of Higher Ed CFO's Board, and the Colorado Diversified Trust Board. Committing his considerable skill and expertise in these agencies was, for Mike, a deeply satisfying means of giving back to the community that meant so much to him.
Professionally, Mike was the C.F.O. of Aims Community College. He believed that Aims played a vital role in providing an affordable education for students, and ensuring a trained workforce for the community. Mike helped lead the college through the 2008 financial crisis. He worked in Denver to secure financial support and devised a plan to insure the long-term sustainability of the institute should state funding ever disappear entirely. Mike's lasting accomplishment is the Aims Automotive Technology Center in Windsor. Other projects that Mike helped steer included the new Fort Lupton Building, several renovations on the Greeley Campus, and the beautiful new Greeley Campus Promenade.
He is survived by his wife; sons; parents, Grover and Wilma Kelly; brother, Kevin Kelly of Atlanta; sister, Shawna Cecil, of Boulder; and many adoring nephews and nieces.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Rob Kelly of Chicago, in May 2012.
Flowers are being handled by Lil Flower shop, in Windsor. If you would like to donate to the college Mike loved, checks may be made out to "Aims Foundation," and given to the Kelly family or mailed to P.O. Box 69, Greeley, CO 80632
There will be a wake (a public viewing) from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Jan 4, 2012, at Marks Funeral Chapel, 9293 Eastman Park Drive, Windsor. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan 5, 2012, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor, followed by a public luncheon in the church hall. All are invited to come celebrate Mike's life. Please bring your happy memories.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.marksfuneralservice.com.
May 29, 1960-Dec. 30, 2012
Age: 52
Residence: Windsor
Michael Kelly, of Windsor, passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, after a sudden illness. Born in Del Norte, Colo., Mike graduated from Brighton High School and went on to attain a B.S. in Economics from Colorado State University in 1984.
In 1989, Mike loaded up his Honda Civic and drove to New York to meet his pen pal, Susan, declaring, "She's the woman I'm going to marry." While starting a family, Mike acquired his C.P.A. license and worked as controller in several Manhattan firms including an advertising firm, Bohbot Communications; a gourmet food prep company, Gourmet Boutique; and a home décor firm, Croscill. Always seeking to improve himself, Mike went on to acquire his Masters Degree in Education from Hofstra University in 2004, with the thought that someday he might move on to teaching or school administration.
After years of yearning to return to his native Colorado, Mike finally, in 2004, got his wish, moving his family, with four young sons, Sean, Daniel, Thomas, and Christian to Windsor.
Mike reveled in living "large." It was a defining characteristic. A party would be a weekend event, abundant in food, family, and friends. A trip to the gym involved lifting 285 pounds, with an eye on 300. Halloween decorating was a neighborhood affair: the Kelly home, on Teal Court, was known for Mike's over-the-top, creative Halloween display. No one did Christmas shopping like Mike, who once, when living in Long Island, N.Y., drove to Freeport, Maine, to shop the outlets and came back with a car packed with presents. Dirt biking, skiing, snowblading, jet-skiing, even competing in the Clydesdale class of a triathlon: Mike's favorite gear was overdrive.
Mike brought the same level of energy and purpose to serving his community. At various times, he was a member of Windsor Town Board, the Poudre Trail River Board, the Aims Foundation Board, the Colorado Department of Higher Ed CFO's Board, and the Colorado Diversified Trust Board. Committing his considerable skill and expertise in these agencies was, for Mike, a deeply satisfying means of giving back to the community that meant so much to him.
Professionally, Mike was the C.F.O. of Aims Community College. He believed that Aims played a vital role in providing an affordable education for students, and ensuring a trained workforce for the community. Mike helped lead the college through the 2008 financial crisis. He worked in Denver to secure financial support and devised a plan to insure the long-term sustainability of the institute should state funding ever disappear entirely. Mike's lasting accomplishment is the Aims Automotive Technology Center in Windsor. Other projects that Mike helped steer included the new Fort Lupton Building, several renovations on the Greeley Campus, and the beautiful new Greeley Campus Promenade.
He is survived by his wife; sons; parents, Grover and Wilma Kelly; brother, Kevin Kelly of Atlanta; sister, Shawna Cecil, of Boulder; and many adoring nephews and nieces.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Rob Kelly of Chicago, in May 2012.
Flowers are being handled by Lil Flower shop, in Windsor. If you would like to donate to the college Mike loved, checks may be made out to "Aims Foundation," and given to the Kelly family or mailed to P.O. Box 69, Greeley, CO 80632
There will be a wake (a public viewing) from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Jan 4, 2012, at Marks Funeral Chapel, 9293 Eastman Park Drive, Windsor. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan 5, 2012, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor, followed by a public luncheon in the church hall. All are invited to come celebrate Mike's life. Please bring your happy memories.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.marksfuneralservice.com.
