CAPT. LAWRENCE KELLEY / 1922-2007
Veteran had lifelong love affair with sea
After 30 years in the Navy, he worked for an isle hydrofoil firm and a cruise line
Capt. Lawrence W. Kelley retired in Hawaii after a 30-year career in the Navy, but he did not step down as a skipper.
He was captain and operations manager of the Seaflite hydrofoil vessel during a short-lived attempt at interisland ferry service from 1975-78, and served as captain of the American Cruise Lines' Independence for nearly 10 years until 1992. He was qualified as a Merchant Marine captain and taught navigation at the Pacific Maritime Academy.
Kelley, 84, died last Thursday.
"He was the fairest man I ever worked for," said Stu Schroeder, who served as maitre d'hotel on the Independence. "He was strict and he was fair. You always knew where he was coming from. There was no hidden agenda. Everyone respected him."
Schroeder, now general manager of Sergio's restaurant in Waikiki, said Kelley "would eat with a dishwasher, and he would eat with celebrities" on the interisland cruises.
He joined the Navy during World War II, serving on PT boats in the Pacific and participating in the liberation of the Philippines. During his career he had command of the minesweeper Aggressive, destroyer Walker and fleet oiler Chipola. Before retiring in 1974, he was chief of staff of U.S. Naval Forces Korea for 31 months, and on the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group. He was awarded numerous medals including the Legion of Merit with gold star, China Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and National Defense Service Medal.
Bill Smith of the Navy Retired Activities Office said Kelley continued to help Navy retirees and their families as a volunteer in that office for the past six years. "He was a compassionate individual and a loyal volunteer. The great thing was, even after he was diagnosed with cancer, he continued to come to the office. He helped many, many people."
He received awards of recognition from the governor and mayor for volunteer service with Meals on Wheels in Honolulu. He was active in the Bahai Faith in Rome, Florida, Virginia and Hawaii.
His wife, Florence, said Kelley was a member of the Boston Marine Society, established in 1754, as was his grandfather, Nehemiah B. Kelley, a clipper ship captain. The Kelleys celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year, but he died three days short of his 85th birthday.
Kelley was born in Boston and graduated from Amherst College.
He is survived by wife Florence, son Kevin of Virginia, sisters Phyllis Kelley and Marjorie Kellberg, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. A committal service at the Bahai Garden of Light in the cemetery will follow. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or another charity.