Leon was born in Five Islands on April 17, 1950, to Leon and Elizabeth Kelley. Leon stayed in Maine his adolescent years graduating from Morse High School in 1968. At 18 years of age, Leon joined the Army. He bravely served our country in the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged in 1972, Leon decided to become a truck driver and owned his own company, the K Line Trucking Company. He reflected often about his many adventures on the road, traveling all over the country.
In 1996, Leon met his wife Kathleen Brown, while working for Sewall Oil Company. They were married in Five Islands on Oct. 31, 1999. Kathleen was the love of Leon’s life. Family meant the world to Leon, so being able to combine his existing family with Kathleen’s meant the world to him.
Leon was diagnosed with kidney cancer in December of 2001. This diagnosis put an end to his trucking career due to long days in his truck and only having one kidney. At that time, Leon took to the seas and became a full-time commercial fisherman, lobstering daily off the coast of Five Islands just down the road from his house, as he had since childhood. He could always be seen on the dock with a huge smile and positive outlook on life.
Leon was an active volunteer in the AA community, having celebrated 32 years of sobriety himself. He was a wonderful mentor working often with troubled teens and adults.
Leon is predeceased by his father Leon, who passed away in 1999, his mother Elizabeth, who passed away in 2005, and his son Shane Joseph, who passed away shortly after birth.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen of Five Islands; his son Bryan Kelley and his wife Abby and their two children, Ava and Laura, also of Five Islands; a daughter Robin Carr and her son Clifton Given III; his stepson Craig Rawnsley of North Yarmouth; stepson Daryl Rawnsley and his wife Karen and their three children of Cumberland; stepdaughter Robyn Rawnsley- Dutil and husband Norman and their two children of Cumberland; stepdaughter Michelle Bujnowski and husband Tom of Salt Lake City, Utah; two brothers, William Kelley and his wife Barbara of Richmond and Joseph Kelley and his wife Cathy of Woolwich; many nieces and nephews and three great-grandchildren.
Leon’s family meant everything to him, his grandchildren were the light of his life. He will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and bright smile. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, 150 Congress Ave., Bath.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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