RIP Kelly M. DeZalia: 1968 - 2017

We are saddened to learn Kelly DeZalia,  from North Hudson,  passed away Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at his home. His loving family was by his side. Kelly was just 49.

We have followed Kelley's brave and courageous battle against colon cancer since 2011.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Tuesday, (August . 15) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Schroon Lake. Interment will follow at Schroon River Catholic Cemetery.

From Kelly's official obit:

"Kelly was born Feb. 17, 1968 in Ticonderoga, New York, the youngest son of the late Donald Sr. and Rita Milligan DeZalia.

Kelly graduated from Schroon Lake Central School, class of 1986. He immediately went to work at the family business, DeZalia’s Garage in Severance, New York. He worked along with his dad and brothers, Brent and Brian. Anyone visiting the shop knew he meant business; work hard until your day is done. The thought was, who needs a “lift” when we’ve got our muscle, Kelly. After 25 years of fixing the cars of the North Country, he longed for new challenges.

Kelly ran for public office twice, both times for the seat of North Hudson Highway Superintendent, losing each race by only a couple of votes. That didn’t deter him from taking a position as an HEO for the Town of North Hudson Highway Department in January of 2011. It meant learning all new skills. He did that in little time and he did it well.

In September of 2011, Kelly was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic colon cancer. The prognosis was grim, but he took the challenge and ran with it full force. He underwent many surgeries, hundreds of chemotherapy sessions, radiation and immunotherapy. When Dr. G and Dr. K gave him the next option, there was no question; he was doing it no matter what. His strength and perseverance was staggering beyond comprehension. He continued to work full time on the town highway crew until March 2015, when it became just too hard to continue work while undergoing treatment.

Kelly was always one you could call if you needed something fixed, lifted or moved. He took many motorists from North Hudson to Schroon Lake to get gas, when telling him they were almost empty. He was one you could count on no matter what you needed help with.

He loved spending time with family and friends, whether it be camping, kayaking, hiking, vacationing or just hanging by a campfire, all of which included throwing back a couple of beers. He loved fast and “clean” cars. Every day was a car cleaning day. He enjoyed the days past when he was called Coach Kelly for the SLH Red Sox undefeated Little League team.

Kelly was most in his glory watching his son, Jordan, and daughter, Miranda, play in their various sporting events. He was their biggest fan. He was always so proud of all of their many accomplishments and he made sure that they knew it. His children were everything to him.

Kelly is survived by his loving wife of almost 27 years, Stephanie (Bowers) DeZalia; his daughter, Miranda DeZalia (future son-in-law Cole Goddor); his son, Jordan DeZalia (friend Kali Lafountain); his mother, Rita (Milligan) DeZalia; his brothers, Donald W. Jr., Jeffrey (Caroline), Bradley (Dorothy), Brian (Laurie) and Brent (Lisa) DeZalia; his mother and father-in-law, Edna and Stephen Bowers; his sister and brother-in-law, Tina and William Plumstead; his sister-in-law, Bridgette Bowers; his aunts, uncles and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes church from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the American Cancer Society, by way of Kelly’s Relay for Life Team-5-FU to Cancer. Please find his page here.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Edward L. Kelly Funeral Home, 1019 U.S. Route 9, Schroon Lake. To offer online condolences, please visit www.edwardlkellyfuneralhome.com.