LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly upon the
occasion of their 65th Wedding Anniversary

WHEREAS, Stella Mech and Hilton Kelly were united in marriage on October
30, 1948; they are the proud parents of two children, Linda (James) and
Lynn (Donna); and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly will celebrate this momentous occa-
sion at an anniversary party held in their honor on Sunday, October 27,
2013, at the Stamford Golf Clubhouse; and
WHEREAS, Hilton Kelly grew up on his parents' farm in the Red Kill
Valley outside of Fleischmanns, New York; Stella Mech, although born in
New York City, was also raised on her parents' farm and boarding house
just over the hill from Red Kill Valley; and
WHEREAS, On May 4, 1945, Hilton Kelly was summoned for occupation duty
in Germany; when he returned from his service in the Army, he was intro-
duced to Stella at a party in Halcott, New York, and one year later, the
couple was married; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, Stella became a rural mail carrier in Fleischmanns,
New York, a career she had for 43 years; and
WHEREAS, For Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly, family and music are the
heights and highlights of their lifetime together; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, at just five years old, Hilton was given a fiddle by
his father, the late Carson Kelly; he would go on to play as a third
generation fiddler, alongside his wife on piano, for decades to come as
Hilton Kelly and the Sidekicks; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 1994, the Roxbury Arts group dedicated their
performance center as "Hilt Kelly Hall," and in 1997, he was inducted
into the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers Association Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly are and always have been a tower of
strength, support, understanding and limitless love for their family;
and
WHEREAS, Their love, devotion, caring, sensitivity and responsiveness
to their family, friends and all who know them are their hallmark and
tradition; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly lived for 49 years, in a house they
built; they loved the community, neighbors, friends, and the country
living that went along with life in Bedell, New York; today, the loving
couple resides together at Robinson Terrace Assisted Living in Stamford,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly have lived and continue to live
their lives with great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a
deep and continuing concern for human values and ideals, and in so
doing, they have inspired others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, This meaningful occasion is the result of the love, hard work
and spirit this couple has invested in their marriage; and
WHEREAS, These same values they have passed to their loved ones,
producing a family that is close-knit and supportive of its individual
members, public-minded in its relations to the community and committed
to the ideals of citizenship upon which this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly are the loving grandparents of five
grandchildren: Kelly (Patrice), Veronica (Noah), Nicholas (Laura),
Heather (Chad), and the late Bryan, and three great-grandchildren: Eric,
Alana, and Bryan Charles; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly have touched the lives of their
family and many friends through the shining example of their marriage,
which is a testament to the devotion and admiration which they possess
for one another; and

WHEREAS, The longevity of this enduring marriage truly marks a mile-
stone in life's journey, an event of personal triumph and joy; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an occa-
sion of such importance is brought to our attention, the same should be
memorialized by us for the edification and emulation of others; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly upon the occasion of their 65th
Wedding Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmit-
ted to Mr. and Mrs. Hilton Kelly.