Editor: Mike Kelly was a shining star.
I know he is still here, twinkling, as he always did.
My heart hurts.
The community will not be the same for me.
Mike was there for me in thick and thin, in hard and tough, in soft and gentle moments on the square, on radio, at The Pub, always starting and working tirelessly to close up events, there in the beginning and there at the end.
When Mike walked into the room, it did not matter what had happened that day, that week, that month, for him, for me, for the world or between us – it never mattered as much as the smile that was inevitable and the great outpouring of love.
Sometimes Mike and I were ruggedly honest with each other and most of the time we just shook our heads simultaneously laughing about the loveliness and the craziness of the world.
Mike Kelly understood and appreciated the value of community in a way that I have never seen.
Though we will be less without him, and I will always feel the hole in my soul, I know he is looking at me right now saying,
“No, you all will carry on and build love, song, connection – all that a village does.”
I love you Mike and though I know you are here still, in the stars, the air and the trees and inside every joyous event that ever happens here in Sonoma, I miss you.
Katy Byrne
Sonoma
It’s only academic but the spelling should be Kelley wiht two Es.
He was a great supporter of anything Sonoma. Was probably the best broadcaster ever to be on KSVY. He could always help you if you needed him. He was one of my few friends I have made here since moving to Sonoma as I tend to keep to myself . He was the man about town. He lived and died here. I will miss him always.