Kevin James Kelly

Kevin James Kelly, 73, of Baileys Harbor, WI, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Serenity Springs Senior Living in Sister Bay, WI.

Kevin was born to John R. Kelly and Barbara J. (Ludwig) Kelly on September 28, 1952, in Racine, WI. He was the second oldest of 12 children.

Kevin graduated from Saint Catherine's High School, class of 1970. He earned his Journeyman's Card in Lathing from Racine Technical College. On September 30,1972, Kevin married his high school sweetheart and life partner, Linda M. Silvasi. They settled in Door County, buying a house on North Bay in 1974. He has been a member of Stella Maris Parish - Baileys Harbor site since 1975.

Kevin worked at Palmer Johnson, Inc. from 1975-1986 as a member of the finishing crew. He then moved on to Anchor Marine (now Yacht Works) joining the crew as their sailboat guy and finish painter extraordinaire. He semi-retired in 2000, helping with spring launching and fall haul out until his death.

Kevin was a true Renaissance Man. He could fix anything and make anything. After much thought he could come up with an ingenious solution to a problem. His meticulous handy work can be seen in the restoration of his historical 1862 house on North Bay and in several friends and neighbors’ houses. He was a perfectionist. Kevin had a love of vintage BMW's and Volvos restoring several through the years. He also had a special love for cats, and Airedale Terriers, bird watching, domestic and foreign travel, and relaxing with a book on his bench on the shore of North Bay. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Kevin is survived by Linda, his wife of 53 years; his daughter, Magdalin (Bennie) Volpendesta; grandchildren, Isabella, and Domenico; siblings, Mike (Diane) Kelly, Colleen Kelly, Bridget Kelly, Hugh (Terry) Kelly, Tim Kelly, Larry (Wendy) Kelly, Carrie (Tony) Castillo, and John Kelly; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Annette Silvasi; brother-in-law, Carl Mueller; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Jennifer Kelly, Maureen Kelly, and Patricia Mueller; and sister-in-law, Barbara J Silvasi.

Donations in Kevin's name can be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society - Door County Campus (3475 Park Drive, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235; www.wihumane.org/contact/door-county-campus).

There will be no service.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay, WI is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Kevin may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

Gone From My Sight

By Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

And that is dying...

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kevin James Kelly, please visit our floral store.