- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Kyle Chelius
“You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.” Publilius Syrus.
Above all else, he was kind. As a leader in Boy Scouts, Kyle sought to turn young boys into good men. Kyle could connect with the scouts that the others couldn’t. Rather than tell them what to do, he listened intently to find out who they were. As a dad he sought to do the same. He was the kind of dad who’d shovel a walkway for his kids all the way to their school, strip down to his underwear and jump in the snow just to see them smile, and make swords out of PVC to keep them entertained. He was also a father figure to many of his children’s friends, offering them his home and the warmth of his spirit. He was a master naturalist, enthralled by the world around him. Kyle was blessed to have a neighbor who introduced him to bird watching. He’d share his passion with many more, giving tours of the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge and the Cape May Bird Observatory. His favorite bird was the Northern Goshawk. Of course, he always thought that he’d run into Bigfoot or Jersey Devil one day if he wandered around in the wilderness enough. Though his house was in South Harrison, he was just at home watching the sun rise on a mountain peak or casting his eyes on the evening sky. It wasn’t just his birdwatching that he shared: Kyle had a love of all things medieval and loved showing off his armor suits to local schoolchildren and he was active for many years in the Society for Creative Anachronism, recreating medieval battles. His taste in music was eclectic; the more unusual the better. He’d been to hundreds of concerts ranging from Grateful Dead to Pearl Jam to Peter Gabriel and Bowie. Kyle would even go by himself if he couldn’t find someone else to join him. He’d start his career at the Navy Yard using his degree in Naval Architecture but would later segue into the Environmental Protection Agency, proud of the work he’d done keeping people safe from the dangers of lead and cleaning up Superfund sites. He was born and raised in Reading, a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology and had lived in Fishtown and Logan Township before settling his family in South Harrison.
His love of Medieval history paid off in more ways than one. Through his connections he’d meet a pretty girl named Ruthanne. They’d share a 38-year marriage blessed by 4 children; Arianna (Timothy) Zane, Morgan, Hunter (Kevin) Galli and Conor; and later by a grandson, Bennett and there’s a granddaughter, Kaylee on the way (due in December.) He is survived by his mother, Nancy, and his dogs, Hannah and Thatcher. Kyle was pre-deceased by his sister, Jamie Masters and his father James Chelius.
Come celebrate 61 great years, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2-4 p.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro where there will be a 4 p.m. service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Friends of Forsythe (friendsofforsythe.org) will be appreciated.
14 Comments
Thank you Kyle, for being. For being uncontained by the cubical world of the office, for sharing your love of nature, and birds, and birds, and more birds. Did i mention birds?
You left your unforgetable mark in this world. Thank you Kyle.
I’m heartbroken to hear of the loss of Kyle. He was such a wonderful person. Humble and dedicated. I am so grateful (and I told him this a few weeks ago) for his dedication to Edwin B. Forsythe NWR. He single-handedly brought back the bird walks on Fridays, and he definitely had a following! I will miss seeing him at the refuge, and just knowing he was on the planet. Gone WAY too soon.
So many good memories over the past 30+ years. You talked me into joining the Iron Bog so I could play the bagpipes at medieval battles. At one point you wanted to start a band that you named The Diablos after the Jersey Devil. Rituals at HOA. Beltaine at Ridley Creek. Camp outs. Yule and Halloween parties and the time you came in costume dressed as …me. Good times. Great times. Thank you for including us in your wide circle of friends. Safe travels on your journey. We won’t say goodbye, only – till we meet again.
Before I met Kyle, I hated birds mainly because my experience with birders was a bit negative. However, from jump street, Kyle was smiling and laughing and so down to earth. He was just as excited to see a Robin as he was seeing a Snowy Owl. His excitement made me excited and he really wanted everyone to join the club. What a special soul!!!
My heart is broken…but I thank all of you for your amazing support and for sharing your memories of a truly wonderful man.
Ruthanne and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this challenging season. Please know your Team Johnson loves you and upholds you in prayer during this time. Let us know how we can best support you and your family. Jeff and Stephanie Blaine
Miss you, dad.
Dear Ruthann and family, I was terribly sadden by the news of your tremendous loss. Kyle was a great man. My sincere condolences. Although I have not seen you all in many years, I have good memories of you as neighbors and of the years I cared for your girls in my daycare. Sending love and prayers as you all navigate this difficult time.
To my cousin Kyle:
Tomorrow’s were never promised but your days were always fulfilled. You enjoyed your life to the fullest. You brought happiness to others. Your imagination was intriguing. You were blessed as a gatherer in life Your purpose was met here on Earth.
Go forward in Peace! ❤️🙏🏻 Love Patti
As a firend and coworker of Kyle’s, I sincerely enjoyed my interactions with him. He always brought his great sense of humor to our meetings and always had interesting info to share. His love for his family was obvious as well as his love for birding. What I admire most about Kyle is how he lived his last few months. I am so amazed at his courage to go skydiving with his son and create those lasting memories for his family. May we all be brave enough to follow Kyle’s lead when we know our time is short! Much love and peace to his family.
Kyle was incredibly kind and patient. He could explain things in a way that others didn’t and suddenly the topic became clear and interesting. His sense of humor is one thing that will always stick with me. He was willing to put himself out into the world even if he might look silly.
I always felt welcomed by Kyle, and for me, someone who bas always felt other and an outsider, that welcoming into his home and life was magical.
We spent many good hours birding with Kyle in Cape May. We are so sorry for your loss.
Kathy and Roger Horn
Thank you for your public service and sharing your birding knowledge with your colleagues. Much appreciation for everything you have been able to accomplish. Condolences to your family. You will be missed.
Kyle was a great colleague and nice guy! I had the pleasure of working with him at EPA Region 3 for 10 plus years beginning around 2004. He was a great person to have around the office not only for his professional knowledge and insight, but for his humor and good spirit. He will truly be missed.