Obituary: Richard Moore Kelly, 75, Founder of Poor Richard's in Newport

Richard Moore Kelly, 75, of Portsmouth, RI passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, 2016 in Providence, RI, with his loving family at his side.

Born July 27, 1940 in Providence, RI, he was the oldest son of the late Walter and Gertrude (Murphy) Kelly.

Richard graduated from De La Salle High School in Newport in 1958 as class orator a president of the thespian club. He was an accomplished child actor and performed alongside Audrey Hepburn, Vincent Price and Mary Martin. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Bryant College and continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America on the original New Haven, CT campus. Upon graduation, he went on to manage Tavern on the Green in New York City, and Valley Steakhouse. He opened his first restaurant, Top of the Dock, in Clinton, Connecticut before returning home to Newport where he started a lobster trap building business with his father.

Richard went on to establish Poor Richard’s restaurant on Thames St. in scenic downtown Newport, RI, later relocating to a new location on Thames St., adding Benjamin’s restaurant to it upstairs, which he operated for over 30 years and is the 10th longest operating business in Newport.

His accolades for Benjamin’s include: selling the most lobsters in town, winning best Christmas window display for the Newport Winter Festival many times over, and creating a recipe for Benjamin’s award winning Bloody Mary cocktail. Richard later opened Mad Margo’s restaurant on Bellevue, later changing the name to Annie’s. Annie’s went on to win “Best Breakfast in Newport” for many years running. Richard was a passionate restaurateur, entrepreneur, builder, planner, thinker, Republican, avid traveler, loyal friend, and loving father. He was a popular and well-known figure of the Newport, RI area, known for his jovial nature, amusing stories, and sharp wit. Richard enjoyed traveling to his beloved paradise of Acapulco, where he resided part of the year, sharing cherished memories with his family and closest friends.

He is survived by his children, Sean, Michaela, Cameron, and Alyssa. He is also survived by his brothers Walter, Michael, Bill, and his favorite sister Nancy, his grandchildren, Joseph, Peter, Thomas, Rachel, and Nancy, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016, from 4-8 pm in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 11:00 am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.

Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown’s Lane, Middletown

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 1 St. Jude Place Building, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38105.