Obituary of Christopher E. Kelley

Monson - Christopher E. Kelley, 60, passed away October 7, 2017, at his home. He was born November 10, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Paul E. and Dorothy E. (Curran) Kelley. Chris was raised in East Brunswick, NJ and lived there for thirty years before moving to Monson. He worked for Michaelson’s Dismantling Junkyard in New Jersey prior to attending General Technical Welding Institute in Linden, New Jersey, where he received degrees in mig, tig, and underwater welding.  In Monson he worked for Maine Sysco Inc. 

He was married to Gayle Szafasz of East Brunswick, NJ, his caregiver for the last 35 years, his life-long soulmate and forever best friend, now and beyond. Chris loved to eat and enjoyed Gayle’s Hungarian homemade cooking and the Italian and Polish specialty foods that she prepared for him. Chris loved gardening and watching movies. He will always be remembered for his kindness to animals, his heart of gold, and for having the most generous soul.

Chris was a champion master chess player. He studied the Bobby Fisher Chess Master’s moves and beat everyone he played chess with. He could even beat the highest level of computer chess games. He was a master mind at playing and winning at chess.  He also enjoyed playing the board war strategy game, Axis and Allies, a World War II interest of his. He loved this game as well, and spent many hours playing.

Chris helped Gayle with cat duties every day of his life and will be sadly missed for his contributions. Chris is now at peace with God. He was a very unique person and a great one. His beautiful soul lives on forever. Chris, you are the love and the light of my life and I will love you forever.

Chris is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Gayle Pirigyi-Szafasz; his father, Paul Kelley of New Jersey. He will be remembered by his very special friends, Mary Shapleigh of Dover-Foxcroft, his “brother” Kentt of Monson, Jim and Beth Boeher of Monson, and Dean Dumais and Nancy Badger of Guilford. Chris was predeceased by his mother.

A special thank-you is extended to Trevor Duby of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, especially for his kindness to Satee, the black cat; to Dr. Darin Peck of Northwoods Healthcare; to Bob Young of the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Department; and to Ethan Annis of the Lary Funeral Home.

Committal prayers will be held 1pm Thursday, October 12, 2017, at the Greenville Cemetery, Greenville.  In Chris’s honor memorial donations may be made to P.E.T.S., c/o Mary Shapleigh, 415 Milo Rd, Dover-Foxcroft 04426. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.