The Chainlink

Harold Kelly mechanic at Cycle Smithy died this morning.

Harold Kelly known simply as "Kelly" died this morning of lung disease at 63. The white bearded Kelly was a bike mechanic at Cycle Smithy on Clark Street for 30 years. He helped me with my bikes & I'm sure he helped many of you. May he rest in peace.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on May 3, 2010 at 9:39am
he was a great man and this is a wonderful tribute. I loved going into that shop mostly because of him.

R.I.P. Kelly; the cycling world lost a true hero today ... but we can be certain he has inspired
countless more to become heroes as well.

Michael - could you post visitation and funeral details here when they become available ?

thanks

Dan
Permalink Reply by pjc jr on May 3, 2010 at 11:14am
Oh my! This gentleman was by far my favorite mechanic in the entire universe. He would never steer me wrong and gave the most helpful, straight up advise. This was an extreme amount of bicycle information departing our planet. I could go in with the most ridiculous part request and he would know exactly what I needed and pull out of some magical drawer in the shop. We will miss you dearly Kelly!!!
Permalink Reply by herdingbats on May 3, 2010 at 3:25pm
RIP, a guy who helped me think about mechanical problems from a different angle---several times.
Permalink Reply by Julia on May 3, 2010 at 4:00pm
I like any bike store where the mechanics are fair. Kelly has been in the loop as one of the go to places that I bring my bike to. As I write this in present tense I feel that he is here to be appreciated. I am sad he is gone. Sincerely, Julia Rooney
Permalink Reply by Michael B on May 3, 2010 at 9:04pm
Thanks everyone for the kind words. I'm certain Kelly would appreciate it. It is times like this that Chicago's cycling community is at its very best.
I talked to Mark Mattei owner of Cycle Smithy today. He did not have any information about funeral arrangements. He did not want to reach out to Kelly's family until later this week. Mark thought that a memorial service will happen later this summer. As soon as I have any information I will pass it on.
Permalink Reply by John Clark on May 3, 2010 at 10:55pm
respect
Permalink Reply by Earl Russell on May 7, 2010 at 8:10pm
He will be missed,i've worked with this man for 30 years
Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on May 9, 2010 at 7:13am
:( ------------meet him 28 years ago. When when showed me and my old man our first track bike. At that time CS was bikes upstairs and stock cars in the basement. CHICAGO has lost yet another treasure....
GLAD I got to shake his hand one last time and thank him for his kind words.
Permalink Reply by Kate Shockey on May 9, 2010 at 10:51pm
As many of you already know my husband Harold Kelly (Kelly or Hal) died on April 30th 2010 from pulmonary fibrosis. He had some breathing problems for about a year and a half but thought it was asthma or allergies which run in his family. He went to Illinois Masonic Hospital emergency room on February 18th. We thought that it could be managed for several years but it got much worse very quickly. He had oxygen at home and work but was forced to quit on April 14th.

On Saturday April 24th, he had to be taken by the fire department to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He went downhill very fast. His son Darshan was able to come in from Oakland and was a great comfort to Kelly. The nurses from Rainbow Hospice were wonderful.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a terrible disease with a large genetic factor (his older brother Allen died from the same disease a few years ago). Kelly was participating in a study on this disease and was also an organ donor. Donations can be made with a restricted contribution to the Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis program at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. The attachment has information.

There will be a memorial service at the Margarita Inn in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday July 10th at 3pm www.margaritainn.com. If you are coming from out of town mention that you are with the Kelly service. It is a delightful bed and breakfast with 42 rooms and a wonderful grand parlor where the memorial will be held.

Oiobviously, he was my favorite bicycle mcehcanic as well as the best one in Chicago. We were married for over 23 years and he was the love of my life.

Feel free to let other people know.


Kate Shockey
6828 N Lakewood
Chicago, IL 60626-3716
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on May 9, 2010 at 11:26pm
Calendar entry added:
http://www.thechainlink.org/events/harold-kelly-memorial-service
-h

Kate Shockey said:
As many of you already know my husband Harold Kelly (Kelly or Hal) died on April 30th 2010 from pulmonary fibrosis. He had some breathing problems for about a year and a half but thought it was asthma or allergies which run in his family. He went to Illinois Masonic Hospital emergency room on February 18th. We thought that it could be managed for several years but it got much worse very quickly. He had oxygen at home and work but was forced to quit on April 14th.

On Saturday April 24th, he had to be taken by the fire department to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He went downhill very fast. His son Darshan was able to come in from Oakland and was a great comfort to Kelly. The nurses from Rainbow Hospice were wonderful.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a terrible disease with a large genetic factor (his older brother Allen died from the same disease a few years ago). Kelly was participating in a study on this disease and was also an organ donor. Donations can be made with a restricted contribution to the Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis program at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. The attachment has information.

There will be a memorial service at the Margarita Inn in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday July 10th at 3pm www.margaritainn.com. If you are coming from out of town mention that you are with the Kelly service. It is a delightful bed and breakfast with 42 rooms and a wonderful grand parlor where the memorial will be held.

Oiobviously, he was my favorite bicycle mcehcanic as well as the best one in Chicago. We were married for over 23 years and he was the love of my life.

Feel free to let other people know.


Kate Shockey
6828 N Lakewood
Chicago, IL 60626-3716
Permalink Reply by Matthew Schoenfeldt on June 18, 2010 at 12:34pm
There seemed to be no issue too small for Kelly to help a cyclist with. If you rode a bike, he treated you like a friend. As an amateur repair-guy myself....I relied on Kelly when I got in over my head & he always threw me a lifevest & pulled me to safety. Thoughts & prayers are with him & his family. We, the Chicago cycling community, will miss you Kelly!
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-8 mi. on June 18, 2010 at 12:56pm
I had the outmost respect for this man, so helpful. I will miss him dearly. He helped me pick up a new rim for my commuter bicycle.

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