Paul B. Kelley, Ph.D. ’68
Source: https://www.thekimblefuneralhome.com/obituary/paul-kelley
Paul Bernard Kelley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and teacher, passed away on Easter morning, April 5, 2026, in Princeton, NJ.
Born in Middletown, CT, on October 18, 1946, to William and Kathleen Kelley, Paul was a man of boundless intellect, wit, and love (“agape” in his case). A student of the world and of the classroom, he held degrees from St. Michael’s College, UConn, and Syracuse, culminating in a PhD in Theater from New York University.
Paul’s love of culture and connection began during an undergraduate year abroad at Loyola of Rome. A cornerstone of his life, this was the birth of his love of Italy and The Frog, a tight-knit circle of friends that remains inseparable to this day. His career spanned the footlights of the stage and the bright lights of television. Though he started as a high school history teacher, the “theater bug” eventually led him to teach at Rutgers University. As a pioneer at QVC on television, his charisma as an original on-air host and 50/50 Tour Ambassador allowed him to share his warmth and knowledge with all of America as he traveled the 50 states on a broadcasted four-year journey.
After traveling the world Paul settled down in Princeton in 2013. He focused his time on writing and combined his love for education and performance by directing Revolutionary War “Eyewitness” Videos for the Princeton Battlefield Society.
He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary Kelley, sister Erin Kelley of Centerbrook, CT, son Damian Kelley and daughter-in-law Amber Isak, grandchildren, Declan Kelley, Quinn Kelley, Teagan Kelley, all of San Mateo, CA, his step-daughter Jennifer Kelley, husband, Adam Kelley, their children Elizabeth, Katherine, James Kelley all of West Windsor, NJ and his step-son John Spoelker, wife Norine, their children Alexandra and Caroline Spoelker, all of South Lebanon, OH and countless friends and acquaintances around the world. Everyone who knew Paul felt a singular kinship. He will be missed by all.
Celebration of Paul’s life to be held on Saturday May 16th, 2026 from 2:00-4:00pm. at Music Together, 225 Pennington-Hopewell Rd, Hopewell, NJ.