Robert Francis ‘Cobb’ Kellis Of Southampton Dies August 4

Robert Francis “Cobb” Kellis of Southampton died on August 4. He was 89.

Mr. Kellis was born to Eva (nee Jankowski) and Stephen Kobusiewski —originally Kobus — on March 24, 1931 in Southampton Hospital, the youngest of 12 siblings.

His parents were hard-working immigrants who arrived in the United States as teenagers, and later changed their name to Kobusiewski (reflecting a higher class if they had been in Poland). Finally, their name was changed to “Kellis.” The specifics of the name change are unknown, but likely came from a pond in Bridgehampton where they farmed.

The family moved to Southampton in 1939 after the hurricane. His mother was strict, but Mr. Kellis managed to have a lively childhood, his family noted, including learning Polish as his mother spoke it in the family home.

Mr. Kellis’s sisters, who lived at home at the time, often told family members that he was “spoiled rotten” by his mother as he was the “baby,” but they loved and cared for each other. This was especially true for Jessie, the second youngest, who was almost eight years older, and Joe Fanning, who married Jessie.

In his 20s, Mr. Kellis served in the U.S. Army as an MP in Germany and was proud of his service to his country, his family said, noting that family members traveled with him once back to Germany and he proudly showed them his old stomping grounds.

In the mid-1950s, he was introduced to Jane Lucille Kemper of Bay Shore, and they were married on July 7, 1956. The couple raised two “families,” the family said, with Rob being born later that year and Keri and Steve born in 1970 and 1975, respectively.

According to their family, the couple welcomed all to their table, making life-long friends in the process whom they cherished.

Mr. Kellis was primarily a roofer, although he built a couple homes. He worked hard for his family, working different jobs in the evenings and on Saturdays to make ends meet. He started his own business in the mid-1970s, and was able to enjoy more leisure time with his family.

Mr Kellis loved the water, acquiring a small boat along the way and “upsizing” as the means allowed, his family recalled. He built his own Dory. He fished, clammed, crabbed, and musseled with his friends. Every Labor Day, the family would take a boat trip around Shelter Island.

He took great joy in an ever-expanding garden over the years, his family noted.

He was a Mets fan and an Islanders fan. He and his family witnessed the Isles’ first two Stanley Cup wins.

Later in life, he found joy in being with his grandchildren, making a 450-mile trip to Virginia and a 4.5-mile trip to Water Mill to be with them.

He suffered from poor health the last three years of his life, his family said.

He is survived by his children, Rob Kellis (Sharon), Keri Jane Medio, and Steve Kellis (Jessica); seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Newton (Dustin), Mary Caroline Kellis, Catherine Clancy Kellis, Matt Medio, Patrick Medio, Graceann Kellis, and Stephen Charles Kellis; and one great-grandchild, Lila May Newton.

A visitation was held on August 7 at the O’Connell-Rothwell Funeral Home, located at 30 Little Plains Road, Southampton, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on August 8 at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton. Interment followed at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton with full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East End Hospice or the Hamptons Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation.