John M Kelly

MADISON - John Martin Kelly, age 56, died at home in Madison, on Saturday, May 15, 2021, after a long illness. John was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 24, 1964, the oldest child of John D. Kelly and Win Kelly. He grew up in central New Jersey, graduated from East Brunswick High School in New Jersey, and lived most of his adult life in Louisville, Ky., where he studied history at the University of Louisville. John was a voracious reader with a focus on history, politics, and pop culture. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the U.S. Civil War, the Russian Revolution, and television and music from the ’60 and ’70s. He also had an uncanny memory and historical perspective that enabled him to remember the precise details of his life as well as world events. He was a keen observer of the changing cultural landscape, and collected books, coins, ephemera-anything interesting or old-that conjured a specific time and place. He was always up for a debate, often arguing a contrarian view and always able to provide a wealth of facts to support his position. Music-mostly rock and blues-played a big part in his life. He was a self-taught guitarist who learned and practiced with the same talent and intensity he brought to his other interests. John came to Madison in 2014 to be near his family and enjoyed exploring the city by bike. He is survived by his mother, Win; sisters, Kathryn and Jennifer Kelly-Karnum (Chandrashekar Karnum); brothers, Ken and Rob; and nephew, Norman. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com . Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420