Arthur Kelley, 1924-2010

Life-long Douglaston resident Arthur Kelley, who was an original member of the Udalls Cove Preservation Committee, died on Dec. 6. He was 86.

He was born on Cherry Street in 1924 and lived in Douglaston all his life, latterly on Beverly Road. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, and his children, Arthur Jr. and Mary, as well as several grandchildren.

He was an active and valued member of Udalls Cove Preservation Committee's Board of Directors for many decades right up to the time of his death. 

Kelley's professional life was devoted to teaching and he taught high school science in Great Neck. He was an avid naturalist who, for many years, lead groups of students and others on tours of the wetlands areas thatnow protected as the Udalls Cove Park & Preserve.

In the 1990s, Kelley founded PROBE, a citizen-based volunteer organization that monitors water quality. For many years, PROBE -- under Kelley's leadership -- took water quality samples at various locations around Little Neck Bay. 

The water was analyzed for turbidity (clarity), salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels. Kelley maintained the data meticulously and shared it with state and local environmental agencies. 

He frequently attended and spoke at public meetings on important issues affecting the community, including the environment. He was clear, direct and emphatic in communicating his well-informed opinions to public officials.

Kelley was a signalman in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific. He was an avid sailor, piloting his sailboat over the waters of Little Neck Bay and beyond. 

He was an incredibly energetic and focused person, always fully involved and engaged in issues of importance locally and farther afield. He remained active until the day of his death.

 Arthur was universally respected and admired, and he will be deeply missed.