Montauk Pioneer - January 16, 2009 -

Bringing my 98 years young mother for lunch to the Montauk's Playhouse Community Senior Center affords me the luxury of meeting some of the pioneer's of Montauk who helped shape the Village into what it is today. My friend, John Edward Kelsey or "Skip" as his friends called him, was one of them.

Skip was the first senior who made my Mom feel "at home" with the group. He saved us seats at his table and made sure that Mom knew of all the upcoming senior activities. I remember when Skip asked my Mom if she was going to the "Over 90s Birthday Party" held yearly at the East Hampton Senior Center. He said, "Pat, you better call early and reserve a spot for you and your Mom. Seats are limited."

Skip, a young 76, did not qualify age wise, but went as a guest of his friend Rita Carroll, 90. Thanks to Skip, my mom, Eden Baradi 97 and other Montauk locals, Rose Bilingkas, 94, Mary Fullerton, 91, and Bertha Fanno, 90, were honored and presented a certificate from the Town of East Hampton.

Skip loved to play pinochle before lunch with good friend, Marge Urvalek. The game changed to Poker when other seniors decided to join in on the fun. Skip's regulars were: Marge, Ray, Kay, Gene, Alex, Lisa and Mary. Skip also loved playing bingo on Tuesdays after lunch. Often he would win and bring home several cans of tuna to make his favorite sandwich.

I asked Skip how he got his nickname. "As a young boy, while growing up in Tenafly, NJ, I ran and skipped a lot. My friends called me Skip and it stayed with me." Skip owned a business called "Skip's Fish Market" in Tenafly and Cresskill, NJ. He loved fishing and owned several boats. What he caught in Montauk, he brought back to New Jersey to sell. He was also in the catering business.

Skip and his childhood sweetheart, wife, Georgette of 51 years, now deceased, moved from Dumont, NJ to Montauk more than 20 years ago. He talked about the good old days when he was the Chef of Port Royal, Johnny Marlin's and Crow's Nest. Skip talked about his famous clam chowder that won the Best of the Best Contest during Montauk's Fall Festival. He also talked about the family clam bake he held at Navy Road where his parents lived. He told me how he dug a huge hole on the beach and put hot coals over it, followed by lobsters, clams, crabs, corn and potatoes. Each layer was then covered with seaweed and it would cook all day. He spoke of his famous sandwich while working at Gaviola's until his foot injury and could no longer work. That was four years ago.

One of the many things I learned from Skip was why he wore colorful pants.

He explained: "They are trademarks of great Chefs." One day, Skip brought his Extra Large, "Made in USA," Nicole Miller's Chefwear, multicolored striped pants to the Center.

He was donating them to the Community Church Women's Guild. Knowing that it was for a good cause and the pants were special to Skip, I bought them even though I had no use for them.

Skip loved his country. He was proud to be an American. He served in the Navy during the Korean War in 1951-1954. Every Fourth of July, he wore his red, white and blue outfit complete with red hat.

Skip often talked about his son, John, who moved to Montauk, two years ago, to take care of him when his diabetes got worse. He told me about John's company, JEK Construction and eagerly handed out business cards. When Mom and I visited him at his South Fairview Avenue home, after an operation, Skip proudly showed off his son's renovations around the house and the personalized lighthouse magnet on the fridge I made him.

The last time I saw Skip was at the Firehouse's 29th Annual Holiday Dinner for Montauk Seniors, Sunday, December 7, with the Montauk Fire Department and Lions Club as host.

Skip died of a massive heart attack at his home on that day. His son, John was by his side. Skip was 78.

Many of us are still in shock.

I will miss my friend Skip. But I don't feel sad knowing he will spend eternity in Heaven with his wife Georgette and his parents John and Helen. My condolences to the Kelsey family, especially to son, John. May their pain be lessened knowing that Skip was loved by the Montauk Community.

A funeral mass was held at Montauk's St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church followed by a military burial, next to his wife, Georgette, at Fort Hill Cemetery, and lunch at the Harvest Pond Restaurant.