On the morning of Tuesday June 5th, 2018, the Universe came to claim Craig Kelly. It was unknown, unexpected and although a tremendous loss to us all; the actual workings of the Universe has never been ours to understand. Craig was born on May 29th, 1956 in Brooklyn NY to Ms. Minnie Kelly and Gent Lilly Craig was educated at the alma mater of many; the infamous Boys High School located in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, the neighborhood where he was raised. Upon graduating he furthered his education at LIU as well as the New York City College of Technology. During his life he held many jobs from DJing in his youth to working in the Printing business arranging layouts for major publications until he came upon the opportunity to join the New York Department of Corrections in 1987. During his tenure as an officer; Kelly as he was called by co-workers, he made several friends and contacts; many of which he’d previously known from his high school days and around the neighborhood. This stoic and proud man always carried himself with decorum and had the respect of the many that he came across. Craig served greatly for 30 years and retired with honor. The many stories as well as the untold stories will linger with those he knew and worked alongside him.

In the year of 1984 Craig married the love of his life Francine Brown whom he met through his friendship with her brother Gordon Brown and “adopted” brothers Kushmir and Rashad Salik. They dated for four years before wedding on June 30th 1984. He was blessed with the second and third loves of his life, Kyla and Katrina Kelly. All head strong but beautiful women Craig was outnumbered and out witted by them often…but all in all…he wouldn’t have had it any other way. In joining matrimony with Francine Brown, Craig also became an integral part of the Brown family and embraced as a piece of the puzzle to that clan. Many holidays, weekends and events took place over the years where Craig participated with his outlandish parodies just to get the energy in the room going. Those who knew him well understood that was his contribution to that night of fun and interaction. He was sometimes so stoked and on a roll that we would have to firmly put him into time out…but it was all out of love…always love. With his Universal departure he leaves his most cherishing memories to his wife Francine of Baldwin NY, his first born daughter Kyla Kelly of Brooklyn NY, his second daughter and bantering partner Katrina Kelly of Brooklyn NY, his loving mother Ms. Minnie Kelly of Brooklyn NY, his sister Sherry Kelly of Brooklyn NY, his mother in-law Mrs. Vivian Brown of East Orange NJ, 4 brother in-laws, 3 sister in-laws and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

MASONIC LODGE 754 Prospect Street Baldwin, New York