Donald L. Kelsey Jr.

BLUFFTON, S.C. – Donald L. Kelsey, Jr., of Bluffton, S.C., and Warren, Maine, passed away on July 29, 2022, at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine. The son of Donald L. Kelsey, Sr., and Clara Thomas Kelsey, he was born on Jan. 15, 1929, in Rockland, Maine. Don grew up and lived in Maine until retiring to South Carolina in 2004.

He graduated from Rockland High School in 1947 and the University of Maine in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration. He worked for the Quaker Oats Company for 20 years as a sales representative covering most of Maine and part of New Hampshire. In 1971, he decided it was time for a change and went to work for Lafayette Electronics managing their Belfast store. He soon purchased the business and later added appliances and opened a satellite store in Camden, Maine. He then decided to open a Rockland store, Kelsey’s Audio-Video. He purchased an adjoining building and added small appliances before opening Kelsey’s Appliance Village across the street in the former Courier Gazette building. He eventually moved the entire business over there.

In 1992, boating became the love of his life and cruising the coast of Maine his biggest pleasure. He ventured on a seven month cruise down the East Coast to Florida, across to the Bahamas, then returned home. He and his business partner and wife of 46 years, Merla Kelsey, sold the store in 2004 and retired to South Carolina.

Don was an accomplished athlete excelling in basketball, baseball, and golf, even once shooting a hole in one in South Carolina. He was a member of the Samoset Golf Club and Club Champion at Northport and Rockland Golf Clubs. In high school, he was a four letter man, played semi-pro baseball and was voted All Tourney in the Southern Maine State Basketball Tournament. He went on to play basketball at the University of Maine where he was captain of the freshman team and he played first string varsity during his sophomore year. He spent many happy hours at his camp on Second Roach Pond with family and friends fishing, hunting and snowmobiling.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Merla Taylor Kelsey; his four daughters from a previous marriage, Donna and Tom Weber of Bangor, Maine, Dana Smoak of Travelers Rest, S.C., Tina and Bob Ellis of Cushing, Maine, Karen and Errol Littlefield, Jr. of Rockland, Maine; his stepsons, Scott Farley of Washington, Maine, and Barry Farley of Rockport and Lily Bay, Maine. He was predeceased by his parents and son-in-law, Neal Smoak. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Lauren Dehlinger, Ryan Dehlinger, Andrew Weber, Katy McLean, and Taylor Farley; six great-grandchildren, Ocean, Rowan Norah, Sylvie, Wyatt and Ethan.

Don defied the odds by surviving stage four renal cancer for six years, thanks in large part to The Assistance Fund that co-paid for his very expensive chemo medications. However, he was unable to conquer a second stroke.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

The Assistance Fund

4700 Millenia Ave.

Suite 410

Orlando, FL 32839 or:

the Youth Program at

Rockland Golf Club

PO Box 507, Rockland, ME 04841