Tribute to Adrian Kelly 08/10/59 - 05/09/04

Adrian was born in Mangalore, India, on 8th October 1959, where his father was working in a British company dealing in cashew nuts, coffee, tea and fertilisers. From the start he was what one would term a ‘character’ establishing himself as a leader. When he was just a little boy he would decide what theme there would be for his group of friends for the day in terms of dressing-up; a cowboy one day and an Indian the next. His little band of followers looked to him for leadership.

When the family came to England he was not happy about the weather and the restrictions of heavy clothing. It was cold and he wanted to be free of jumpers etc. He felt quite confined. His hankering for India was quite an influence on his life and he was always seeking spiritual confirmation of Jesus’ saying “in my house there are many mansions”, which he pursued throughout his life.

In due course he went to Worth School in Sussex, run by Benedictine monks. It was the tradition in those days to send your children to boarding school, particularly for the colonials, whose contracts were often 5 years away from home with 6 months leave. However, the family saw him frequently and he was not far away. Adrian always confessed that his early childhood was idyllic and it made it harder in the future to adapt to the “real harsh world”. He had a home where there were woods and fields and acres to roam in happiness with his two sisters Deborrah and Sharon. He was a great sportsman at school and loved reading, playing the guitar and art. They were his true talents.

He was an indomitable free spirit, rather like Peter Pan. He had charm, the ability to get on with anyone, whatever their background, and was willing to help others, whatever his circumstances. But he also had the problems of the Peter Pan life of which we are all aware. Most of us have something of Peter Pan in our lives.

Adrian had great friends not only in his parents and their friends, his Aunt Sheila and Uncle Patrick, his sisters, his son Ben and his mother Janet and Janet’s parents Mary and Bob Fawcett, and Mary his partner, who was a constant companion and his friends who are here today.

Adrian wrote a very poignant letter to Deborrah recently, before he was taken ill, saying how happy he was that his son Ben was fulfilling all his dreams. Therefore his spirit lives on through all those who meant so much to him. . .