Brownsville, Vermont – Paul L. Kelley May 7, 1936, of Brownsville, VT died on March 13, 2022, at Springfield Rivers in Vermont after a day surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Haverhill, NH to Carl and Linna (Sergeant) Kelley and grew up in Post Mills, VT. After high school, Paul entered the US Army during the Korean War and served for two years as a morse code radio operator in Fort Benning, GA. On June 30, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Brown, in South Strafford.

Paul was a hardworking, dedicated man who loved people. He worked his way up from a delivery driver for Billings Dairy in Wilder, VT to Assistant Manager during his over 30 years there. In the mornings, evenings, and weekends, he could be found at the Brownsville General Store that he built, owned, and operated with Mary Lou and a partner, Rodney Dimick from 1970 to 1993. They were open every day, even on holidays, so that the community always had a place to grab a cup of coffee, a sandwich, an ear to listen, or anything else that they might need. He was an active member of the Windsor American Legion and the Windsor Elks Lodge, having served as past Exalted Ruler, State President, District Deputy, and one hell of a Valentine's Day auctioneer. Through the years, he and Mary Lou traveled extensively on behalf of the Elks. Paul loved to gamble and enjoyed their trips to Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, and Las Vegas with their friends from the lodge. Paul was a gifted and animated storyteller, never wasting an opportunity to make others laugh. Before retiring, Paul and Mary Lou set up shop in their basement making LED lights for airplane and emergency vehicles as contract employees of Whelen Engineering.

Paul is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Kelley of Brownsville; two daughters, Carla Kelley and partner Sherry Richardson of Springfield, VT and Karen Melendy and husband Tom of Hartland, VT; one granddaughter, Chelsea McHugh and husband Joe of Windsor; one brother, Ed Kelley and wife Penny of Ayer, MA; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carolyn Porter.

Per Paul's wishes, services will be private and memorials are appreciated to a cause near and dear to his heart, the Silver Towers Camp. Please mail to: Windsor Elks Club No. 1665, C/O Carol Sylvia, 156 Main St, Windsor, VT 05089-1310 and make checks payable to Silver Towers Endowment Fund. Knight Funeral Home of Windsor is entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences are invited at www.knightfuneralhomes.com