Ralph E. Kelley Jr.

Ralph E Kelley Jr., 89, of Beverly Hills, Florida passed away on Thursday, December 5. He graduated from Central Square High School in 1954 and started working at Solvay Process/Allied Chemical. Ralph always had the car bug so after 15 years and making it to Foreman of Electricians he made the choice to make a career move to selling cars. He made several stops through the years as a car salesman before founding Engelbrekt & Kelley with his partner, Elwood Engelbrekt. In December 1983 they landed a Ford franchise and became Central Square Ford where Ralph was co-owner and later owner of the shop. It was a staple in Central Square for many years. Ralph’s next move was an opportunity to sell cars in Eagle River, Alaska. He and his wife Nancy made that move with a 5-year plan. They loved so much about life in Alaska and embraced it completely, but at 5 years they had to get back home to family. After a few years and more selling cars, they decided to set up for retirement in Beverly Hills, Florida. Ralph could never sit still so he joined the local community surveillance team helping neighbors and doing courier work for a local bank. In the past few years, he could be found out on the local trails either walking or most days riding his recumbent bike 15 miles a day, stopping at his favorite spot for a cup of coffee and a BBQ sandwich. Ralph met many friends with the same interests and was a good friend to those in his neighborhood who looked out for one another. Life well done. Ralph lived life to the fullest. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Nancy Alexander Kelley in August 2016, and his siblings; Virginia Bradt, Peter Kelley, and David Kelley. Ralph is survived and will be missed and remembered by his seven children and their spouses; Ralph (Cathy) Kelley III, Tracey (Roger) Saddlemire; Karen (Gary) Spencer, Jeff (Christine) Kelley, Linda (Bob) Smith, Tim (Debbie) Kelley, Terry (Kristi) Kelley; his brother, Donald (Jeannie) Kelley, his sister-in-law’s, Charlotte Alexander, Beverly Kelley and Eleanor Kelley; his 24 grandchildren, Courtney and Lindsey Kelley, Kelley and Chris Saddlemire, Courtney (Spencer) Eppel, Gary “Sam” and Brian Spencer, Samantha (Kelley) McHenry, Amanada, Jeremy and Ben Kelley, April(Smith) Conroy and RJ Smith; Jordan, Andrew, Ryan and Allie Kelley, Alexis, Sarah and Nick Kelley, Jessica Swartz, Candi Carr, Christie Gleason and Patrick Gleason; his 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in Syracuse, NY at a later date. Burial will be in the spring in Constantia Rural Cemetery, Constantia, N.Y.