Frederick S. Kelling Jr. dies at 59 - 27 East
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News / Obituaries / Southampton Press / 1470956

Frederick S. Kelling Jr. dies at 59

author on May 19, 2010

Frederick S. Kelling Jr.

Frederick S. Kelling Jr. of Westhampton, better known to friends and family as “Rick,” died suddenly of cardiac arrest on May 14. He was 59.

Born June 1, 1950, he attended schools in Westhampton Beach and graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. He traveled throughout the country and spent some time in Aspen, Colorado, before his return to Westhampton.

Upon his return, he began a long career as a real estate agent, first working for Sea Realty. Not long thereafter, he founded Resort Properties LTD of the Hamptons. In 2001, the firm transitioned into Resort Properties International, and, in 2004, it made its final transformation into Brown Harris Stevens.

An avid boater who loved to fish, he was remembered by family and friends recently as a man who loved to travel and visit new places when he could. He spent many summers abroad visiting different countries and exploring new cultures.

He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Kelling and her fiancé Rutherford Niles of South Carolina; a sister, Pat Griffith and her husband Benjamin of Southampton; two nephews, Benjamin Griffith Jr. and his wife Traci of Patchogue and Aaron Griffith and his wife Ashley of Alabama; two stepsons, Kevin and Thomas Jones of Middle Island; a daughter-in-law Danielle Jones, also of Middle Island; two granddaughters, Chloe and Kelly; two great-nephews, Noah and Trevor Griffith of Patchogue; a great-niece, Nona Griffith of Alabama; his mother-in-law, Violet Collins of Patchogue; and a sister-in-law, Roxanne Romeo of Middle Island.

His wife, Elizabeth Kelling, predeceased him.

The family received visitors on May 17 at Follett & Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. Funeral services, officiated by the Reverend Peter M. Larsen of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southampton, were held on May 18, also at the funeral home. Interment followed at Westhampton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 5068, Southampton, NY 11968 would be appreciated by the family.

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