Born 2/25/1944
New York City, New York
Died 5/16/2023
Nashua, New Hampshire
Details of services
A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Vermont Veteran’s Cemetery in Randolph, VT on Thursday, June 1st at 1 PM. A Celebration of Life will follow at the American Legion in Colchester from 3-5 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by sending a check to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #91, 8 South Street, Colchester, VT, 05446 or online by visiting the American Legion Charities webpage: https://www.legion.org/charities
Matthew J. Kelsh, III, 79, of Colchester, VT, passed away on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at Premier Rehabilitation Center in Nashua, NH after a period of declining health.
Matt was born in Queens, NY on February 25th, 1944 to the late Thomas and Margaret Kelsh. As a teenager he loved to play basketball, was a ham radio operator, and sang in a Doo-Wop group with friends after school. Matthew served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965 and received an honorable discharge. He wore many hats during his life and tried many different occupations including photographer, minister, carpenter, and cabbie.  He spent the last part of his working life driving his cab “Majak Taxi” out of the airport in Burlington. He loved spicy food, fishing, boating on Lake Champlain, driving around Vermont, and never lost his love of aircraft. In retirement he spent a lot of time at the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #91 in Colchester where he met many people he came to consider family.
Surviving family members include a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas & Celeste Kelsh, six children and their spouses: Tom & Laurie Kelsh, Lisa & Lance Lautenschuetz, Matthew Kelsh, Christina Kelsh, Dan & Tina Kelsh, and David & Judy Kelsh, 10 grandchildren: Christopher, Sierra, Nicholas, Ryan, Maddy, Emily, Ayla, Alison, Leanora and Maren, and 4 great grandchildren.