Russell Matthew Kelly

Russell Matthew Kelly passed away quietly at home December 15, 2021 after a long struggle with Kennedy’s disease.  He was born September 30, 1948, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.  He graduated from Northville High in 1966, where he made many lifelong friends.  He attended University of Miami and graduated from University of Detroit with a degree in Finance.  Growing up in Detroit as the oldest sibling, he enjoyed riding his bike and was a champion accordion player.  As a young man he learned to golf at Meadowbrook Country Club where his family were long time members.  He joined the family business, William H Kelly Co, and after the death of his father, was at the helm of it along with his mother, until he became disabled.  He would often watch the NHS football games from his car overlooking the field, and College Game Day was his favorite TV program.  He was known to appreciate fine food and beverages, he loved traveling, skiing, boating & sailing.  He loved his daily forays to downtown Northville where he had many friends.  He was a member of Northville Kiwanis and St. Paul’s Lutheran church.  He was proud to have been a member of Boy Scout troop 755.  His last years were spent at the picture window looking out to the yard and woods where he would see all kinds of wildlife that would come right up to the window.  Turkeys, squirrels, birds, deer and he once saw a coyote sitting right in front of him.  He was an honest man with steady moral convictions, he was an inspiration to all that knew him.  He’s survived by his wife Ann Frogner Kelly who he married at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Northville on December 20, 1992.  They were together for 39 happy years.  He loved his family greatly, and his cat Rusty Wallace.  He had three brothers & two sisters.  Maureen (Mark) Snedden, Marcia (Scott) Evett, Tim (Natalie Korona) Kelly, Bromley Kelly, and William ( d ) (Stephanie) Kelly, as well as three brothers-in-law:  Jim (Ellen) Frogner, David (Laurel) Frogner, and Chuck Frogner, and sister-in-law Kristine Frogner (Steve Marsden).  He was proceeded in death by is parents, Rose Marie (Robertson) and William Henry Kelly.  He is also survived by his cousins, and many loving nieces and nephews to whom he would impart his great wisdom.  He was laid to rest at Rural Hill cemetery beside his parents and his brother Billy.  In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 Elm St., Northville, MI 48167 or Angela Hospice, 141000 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, MI 48154. A memorial will be planned for spring when the azaleas are blooming at the golf course.