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Patrick Francis Kelly

Jan. 1, 1978 — Feb. 4, 2016

Patrick Francis Kelly passed away at his home in Snowmass Village on Thursday, February 4, after a nearly two-year battle with an aggressive brain tumor. He was 38 years old. Patrick was born to Joan Murphy Kelly and James Richard Kelly in Stoughton, Massachusetts on January 1, 1978. They took him home to Millis and his older siblings Timothy (Tim), Christine (Chrissy), and Moira.

He graduated from Noble and Greenough School in 1996. In 2000, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College with a degree in English and Religion. He spent his junior year studying at Trinity College in Dublin.

Patrick’s first job after college was with Middlebury Religion Professor Steven Rockefeller. Patrick then worked as a congressional aid in Washington DC for Representative Amory Houghton of New York’s 29th District. These early jobs shaped his chosen career path, which he dedicated to examining what makes a good life. Patrick worked at Orion Magazine in Great Barrington, Massachusetts as Communications Associate, where he interacted with many of today’s great nature writers, including Barry Lopez, Wendell Berry, and Terry Tempest Williams. In 2004, he organized the tour and traveled with Ms. Williams to promote her book The Open Space of Democracy.

Patrick moved to Aspen in 2007, and began working for the Aspen Institute as Development Officer. He rose to become Deputy Director for the Society of Fellows. He developed and facilitated programs for the donor group, which drew on his passion for informed conversation about current events and living well. He helped start a program with the US Air Force Academy that sponsored cadet attendance at Aspen Institute programs. The USAFA Dean of Faculty Brigadier General Dana H. Born acknowledged Patrick as an honorary faculty member.

In the Aspen community, Patrick served as a trustee on Spring Board and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. He completed the Roaring Fork Leadership program and went on to serve as a Roaring Fork Leadership coach. He loved mentoring others, and in 2015 Patrick became a certified Best Year Yet coach.


He married Collins Mary Canada in June 2011, in Vail, Colorado. She and their daughter Clara Rose Kelly survive him. Patrick is also survived by his mother, sisters, beloved cousins, one nephew and three nieces. He is preceded in death by his father and brother.

Patrick was a dear friend, a devoted husband, son, and brother, and the most loving father to Clara Rose. He touched so many in his life with his calm manner, attentive listening, and deep intelligence. He faced his terrible illness with courage, grace, and hope, and Patrick’s death carried its own beauty and power. His faith remained unshaken, and he faced the end without fear or regret. May we all be so blessed.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aspen on Monday, February 8 at 11 AM. A luncheon reception will be held at the Aspen Meadows at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to: Pathfinders for Cancer, PO Box 11799, Aspen, CO 81612; Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, 100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen, CO 81611; St Mary’s Catholic Church, 533 E. Main St., Aspen, CO 81611. Donations may also be made to the Patrick Kelly Family Fund at Alpine Bank, 600 E. Hopkins Ave. #101, Aspen, CO 81611.



Patrick Francis Kelly

Jan. 1, 1978 — Feb. 4, 2016

Patrick Francis Kelly passed away at his home in Snowmass Village on Thursday, February 4, after a nearly two-year battle with an aggressive brain tumor. He was 38 years old. Patrick was born to Joan Murphy Kelly and James Richard Kelly in Stoughton, Massachusetts on January 1, 1978. They took him home to Millis and his older siblings Timothy (Tim), Christine (Chrissy), and Moira.

He graduated from Noble and Greenough School in 1996. In 2000, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College with a degree in English and Religion. He spent his junior year studying at Trinity College in Dublin.

Patrick’s first job after college was with Middlebury Religion Professor Steven Rockefeller. Patrick then worked as a congressional aid in Washington DC for Representative Amory Houghton of New York’s 29th District. These early jobs shaped his chosen career path, which he dedicated to examining what makes a good life. Patrick worked at Orion Magazine in Great Barrington, Massachusetts as Communications Associate, where he interacted with many of today’s great nature writers, including Barry Lopez, Wendell Berry, and Terry Tempest Williams. In 2004, he organized the tour and traveled with Ms. Williams to promote her book The Open Space of Democracy.

Patrick moved to Aspen in 2007, and began working for the Aspen Institute as Development Officer. He rose to become Deputy Director for the Society of Fellows. He developed and facilitated programs for the donor group, which drew on his passion for informed conversation about current events and living well. He helped start a program with the US Air Force Academy that sponsored cadet attendance at Aspen Institute programs. The USAFA Dean of Faculty Brigadier General Dana H. Born acknowledged Patrick as an honorary faculty member.

In the Aspen community, Patrick served as a trustee on Spring Board and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. He completed the Roaring Fork Leadership program and went on to serve as a Roaring Fork Leadership coach. He loved mentoring others, and in 2015 Patrick became a certified Best Year Yet coach.



He married Collins Mary Canada in June 2011, in Vail, Colorado. She and their daughter Clara Rose Kelly survive him. Patrick is also survived by his mother, sisters, beloved cousins, one nephew and three nieces. He is preceded in death by his father and brother.

Patrick was a dear friend, a devoted husband, son, and brother, and the most loving father to Clara Rose. He touched so many in his life with his calm manner, attentive listening, and deep intelligence. He faced his terrible illness with courage, grace, and hope, and Patrick’s death carried its own beauty and power. His faith remained unshaken, and he faced the end without fear or regret. May we all be so blessed.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aspen on Monday, February 8 at 11 AM. A luncheon reception will be held at the Aspen Meadows at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to: Pathfinders for Cancer, PO Box 11799, Aspen, CO 81612; Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, 100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen, CO 81611; St Mary’s Catholic Church, 533 E. Main St., Aspen, CO 81611. Donations may also be made to the Patrick Kelly Family Fund at Alpine Bank, 600 E. Hopkins Ave. #101, Aspen, CO 81611.