Christopher J. Kelly

Capt. Christopher J. Kelly

Christopher Joseph Kelly—an award-winning multimedia producer and publisher, magazine editor, entrepreneur, U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and lifelong marine enthusiast who cruised extensively and taught seamanship locally—died on July 5 in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 57.

Born May 1, 1959, to the late Michael and Barbara Kelly, he spent most of his childhood in Rye, New York, where his passion for boating was nurtured at the Durland Scout Center. He left Rye to attend Allegheny College, earning a bachelor of science. As an undergrad, he also studied marine biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s West Indies Lab for Underwater Research in St. Croix V.I. Soon after, he founded his first company, American Marine Training, which offered courses for recreational boaters pursuing a United States Coast Guard captain’s license. The company became the third-largest captain’s course exam prep class in the country. He sold the business in 1990 to join the editorial staff of Power and Motoryacht magazine, where he became executive editor. His deep love for and knowledge of seamanship enabled him to write and produce stories that helped turn the magazine into a major player in its category.

He left magazine publishing in 1999 to create Boattest.com, one of the first video-based boating websites. His work at Boattest earned him the Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association in 2005 for outstanding contribution to the boating industry. In the years following, his knowledge of the digital space landed him positions at major publishing companies, including Bonnier and Active Interest Media. At the time of his death, he was founder and managing director of VehiclesTest.com, a video-based site for car shoppers. In his spare time, he taught seamanship in Norwalk.

While Mr. Kelly—whose hobbies included Scuba diving and flying private planes—relished the opportunity to see and explore new places (he navigated waters around the world while traveling for business and pleasure), he was also active in his hometown of Rowayton. He was a Webelos Leader for the local Boy Scouts and coached for Rowayton Little League. He had said that one of his most cherished accomplishments was the privilege to coach the Rowayton Majors Softball Team, which won the Fall Ball Year End Tournament in 2015.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jeanne Craig, and their children, Kyle and Lauren Kelly, all of Rowayton. He also leaves behind his sisters Carolyn Kelly of Stamford, and Eileen Kelly of Ireland. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m. at St. John Church in Darien. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com for more information.