Ryan Parker Kelly

We unexpectedly and tragically lost Ryan Parker Kelly (June 14, 1989, to December 2, 2022), at age 33, leaving us heartbroken and adrift with a gaping hole in our hearts and lives.  Ryan was a gifted conversationalist, a connector of people and ideas, a creative thinker, a collector of knowledge, the great fixer. If you were a friend with an idea in need of a sponsor, or an artist who needed a few thousand cans of Play-Doh for an art installation, he was the guy you called. He had an insatiable curiosity for the world and the people in it. With nothing more than an absolute love of helping people, he made all of our lives infinitely richer.  Ryan always picked the path less traveled and fought for every accomplishment so much harder than he needed to, but still somehow managed to leave us all in awe of his energy and enthusiasm. His first job out of high school was at City Year in Philadelphia where he managed to connect with a young man, Nelson Laboy, who would become a brother. Over the decade after high school, he worked in an orphanage in Tanzania, made latkes in a basement in Brookline, managed a hotel in Costa Rica, worked with artist Todd Pavlisco, volunteered with South End Soccer and SquashBusters, and earned a degree in political science at UMass Boston. Anyone he encountered who shared his love of life and people, and had a real passion for something - no matter what - was his friend. He gave of himself and expected nothing in return.  As Ryan searched for his profession, he always circled back to the restaurant industry in Boston. He was a beloved bartender and cocktail inventor extraordinaire with a following of regular clients who sat at his bar whether he was working in Fort Point, Somerville or the South End, most recently at SRV.  He had just accepted a job with a marketing company that would launch the next phase of his career. Ryan was one of those lucky young men who met a woman, Kiley Sutton, who brought out the best person he could be. He was truly content in their love for each other and the home that they created over the past four years.  His relationship with his family was his rock. He loved his brothers and sister with all his heart and even when he was teasing, antagonizing, or being sweet or sarcastic, it was done with true affection.  Along with his extended families and countless friends, he will be missed by all four of his parents Jennifer and Michael Preston, and Patricia Belden and Kevin Kelly, by his younger siblings, Lauren, Liam, and Martin “Mak”, adopted brother Nelson Laboy and by grandparents Mary Parker, Margaret Belden, and Roger Preston.  In addition to Kiley he will be missed by the Sutton family—her mother, Christine and brothers Jason and Tyler. Among others, he was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dick Parker, who we know is welcoming him now.  Ryan was a warm and welcoming person—always—in every room he graced with his presence. He loved and was loved.  We will miss him.  
Farewell Ryan. You left us far too soon.  Ryan’s service will be held at Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, at 10am on Tuesday, December 13.  Please in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to South End Soccer: http://www.southendsoccer.org/give.html

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