Gilbert Kelly, Longtime Grand Avenue Fixture, Shot Dead Last Night
It’s with a heavy heart that we report the news that Gilbert Kelly, or just Kelly as most of us on the block between Gates and Putnam knew him, died from a gunshot to the chest last night shortly after 4 a.m.; he was killed on one of the mid-block stoops where he spent most…
It’s with a heavy heart that we report the news that Gilbert Kelly, or just Kelly as most of us on the block between Gates and Putnam knew him, died from a gunshot to the chest last night shortly after 4 a.m.; he was killed on one of the mid-block stoops where he spent most nights for the past three decades. Kelly, who was profiled in this 2011 New York Times piece, was the self-appointed steward of the block. A 65-year-old homeless man who had struggled with drugs and had some brushes with the law, Kelly nonetheless had the implicit trust of everyone on the block. Many of us paid him a small monthly stipend to keep our stoops clean, make sure our recycling was sorted correctly and let us know if any suspicious characters had been lurking around our homes. Countless nights his crooning of Motown classics while he cleaned up the block was the last thing many of us heard before falling asleep. The block is on lock-down now and crawling with cops, but we haven’t heard any details. Was it one of the drug dealers from the corner or a tiff over something stupid that escalated out of control? Hopefully the police will figure it out. If you know anything, please give the 88th Precinct a call. RIP.
I am a long time resident of this community, and Mr. Kelly was my friend. And when I say long time I mean 44 years. This article upset me just based on the callous remarks made in reference to the possibility of him being shot by a local drug dealer. I want to first say Mr. Kelly had no enemies period from this neighborhood, you now all call home. Unlike most of you five or ten year residents we grew up here and we all had an incredible amount of respect for him, Mr. Kelly was not homeless because he didn’t have means (socio-economically) he chose the life he lived, much like you or I chose to smoke cigarettes or not. So the statement made about the corner boys seriously injured me, they respected and took care of him in more ways then you will know. Grand Ave. Was a war zone once upon a time ago, many of you would have never ventured out your front door with out police presence, we lived through the turmoil and won the battle, so those faces you see out there on those corners, outside randomly hanging around are survivors of the most crucial times anyone could ever live through. I will bet most of you didn’t know Mr. Kelly was a Vietnam Vet, or that for many years after he was a postal delivery man. And he loved this community and those kids on that corner are and were very much like his children. He spared no expense to just be a part of the fabric of the NEW THREAD here, – kind, generous, hard working, intelligent and bull headed. And certainly not killed by someone from here.. But by an outsider.. One who didn’t know they took from us a decent person, One who didn’t understand that now we are left empty. Mr. Kelly was a part of a history that many of you could never digest….So with all due respect please be mindful that those corner kids smile and pay you homage and they don’t have to, they are courteous and respectful and that is amazing, they aren’t typical goons nor are they killers. Much like you reserve the right to be here they are the very essence of what here is.
My heart is sad ,and i have cried because of this empty space created by the murder of Mr Kelly His songs ,smile hellos are gone .. i feel a loss Kelly was a part of my daily routines these past 25 years, from his Hello’s ,Motown Songs and our little conversations or some photographs along the way on some days ..I actually photographed him the day before this tragic event… I am glad that there is such care for wanting leads on finding who did this.. His life Mattered to his family and members of the community ..but Please as you speculate the writer of this blog should know and Remember that this is a community and YES .. even the so called local drug dealers have been a part of it .THEY,..Everyone here …..and ALL who managed to live on these blocks through all the dramas and changes these past 30 years ..TRUST that THEY / We are hurting on this loss also.. It’s very unlikely that anyone from this community was involved ..and this comment is unfairly divisive…from new neighbors who may mean well..And who also feel this loss .. BUT be clear the .people who were here and have been here, had and have COMMUNITY and this was a long standing community before you got here..these same individuals helped to keep a peace ..it’s not perfect , because nothing is . This reckless wickedness did not occur from anyone in this community.
and all who knew Kelly and had a love ,respect or tolerance if not friendship.. Things will never be the same ..it feels as if an Era is truly closed with the loss of Mr. Kelly who was truly a liaion for old and new neighbors..R.I>P. Mr Kelly ..I will miss you always.
Hi I’m his daughter queen I’m so happy that he got to share his stories his smile jokes and etc with you thanks for the love you give him grand ave was his family and he be truly miss if you have a chance can you email some picture that you have if him I really appreciate it thanks
Thank u from our Family we appreciate the love and Support we will let grand ave now when in where the arrangement be my family will be on grand Friday at 7 so if anyone will like to speak to use will be there
Iesha and Queen, please accept my families condolences — my children counted your dad as a friend. We will miss his singing and stories very much. We would really appreciate information on a memorial or any service being done for him please…..and I hope I’m not offending anyone by offering to contribute and help with the cost. I am sure Grand avenue would like to help in any way posible. We are happy to take up donations for the family and pass them on to you, having lost a brother I knw how expensive these things are. He made this block special and it won’t be the same without him.
Thank u for your kind words me and my family appreciate it
We will I promise and Thank u for your Kind words…. Iesha,Queen
Thank u he did a lot for people and I appreciate your kind words…me and my sister and brothers appreciate your comment ….He live there cuz he loved The People….
Sending LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.