Abel Charles Kelo

Abel Charles Kelo, age 42, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Born in Farmington, CT on December 19, 1979, to Michael and Susette (Chasse) Kelo, he was raised in Preston. He attended Ledyard High School with a focus on Agriculture and graduated in 1998.

A determined and hardworking man, Abel worked for Nine Brothers Farm during and after high school. He also worked for a local business, helping a friend through a tough time. This led him to become the owner/operator of Reli-Abel Waste, LLC, which he established in 2010.

A devoted father, Abel raised his son, Abel Charles, Jr., teaching him about mechanics, machinery, and how to be supportive of family and friends. He loved his family and, while continually working to keep his business running, always made time to spend with them and to get away to his favorite places including Matunuck Beach and York Beach in Southern Maine.

To know Abel was to love him. He was an absolute one of a kind, affectionately called “Big Abel”, he was instantly recognizable driving the streets of Preston - often with an oversized stuffed animal tied to the truck. The only thing bigger than Abel himself was his heart. He was incredibly gracious to anyone in need and was always willing to give the shirt off his back and help in the most amazing of ways. A gifted mechanic, Abel rarely felt anything was too broken to be repaired and in addition to maintaining his own equipment, was the first to lend a hand in repairing a piece of machinery, vehicles, or almost anything his many friends and family needed help with. Those of us who knew him best knew we could never expect what he might say next. He had an otherworldly sense of humor and a language and spelling all his own. 

Abel loved almost any outdoor activity including biking and camping, but riding dirt bikes and quads were his passions that he didn't get enough time to spend doing. He married the love of his life just two years ago and recently bought a new home and property they were renovating with plenty of land for his son, Abel Jr., to share in his passions.

A gentle giant, a kind soul, an irreplaceable pillar of the community he loved, Abel is survived and sorely missed by his loving wife, Lindsey Kelo and his son, Abel Charles Kelo, Jr. of Preston. In addition, he is survived by his mother, Susette Kelo of Groton, step-father, John Jorsz, of Preston, his brothers, Nicholas (and wife Rebecca) Kelo of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Willis (and wife Jeanine) Kelo of Preston, Jonathan (and wife Kristen) Kelo of Preston, Thomas (and wife Jacqueline) Kelo of Old Lyme, many nieces and nephews, and innumerable friends who were also family to Abel. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Kelo, in 2013, and nephew, Nicholas Kelo, Jr., in 2011.

Calling Hours will be held Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 5-7pm at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home at 490 Voluntown Rd, Griswold, CT.

A Service and Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 11, 2022, at 12 pm at the Fleming's Pavilion, 120 Prodell Rd, Preston CT.

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