Frank Edward Kelly, Proinsias Eamonn Ui Ceallaigh (his Gaelic name), was born August 21, 1917, in Portland, Ore., and died Dec. 15, 2007, in Coupeville.

After spending most of his life as an architect in Portland, he moved to Whidbey Island where he made his home in Coupeville for 20 years. He filled his days with walks at the beach and daily treks down his road with his little Beagle, Kelsey, followed by his two cats. When he wasn’t reading books, magazines and the newspaper, he spent his time designing and drawing, repairing furniture, engineering better ways to do things, and fixing objects he collected at the thrift stores so someone could use them again.

Dad liked nothing better than a trip to “P.C.”, (Prairie Center Red Apple) – his favorite store. Proudly carrying his Irish blackthorn walking stick, an Irish cap perched jauntily on his head, he stopped to talk with the many people who knew him. Each time he finished his shopping, he’d declare what a wonderful place it was, how friendly everyone was, and how nice all of the “girls” were.

An Irishman at heart – full of the gift of gab long before he kissed Ireland’s Blarney Stone on his 80th birthday, he lived his life with great vigor and did things his way, as an architect, artist, father, and husband. For him, his greatest achievement was the happiness of his children and their ability to share beautiful music with others. Until the day he died, he proudly told everyone he met about each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dad loved life, music, art, and great literature. He marveled at the beauty of the world. He treasured little children and animals. His love of life will live on in his children: daughters Roxallanne Kelly Medley of Coupeville and Cathleen Kelly and Bridget, both of Portland; and son, Edward Randolph Kelly of Pittsburgh. His legacy lives on in his six grandchildren, Melissa, Maghean, Laurie, Mollie, Josh and Patrick, and six great-grandchildren, Katie, Jonah, Aidan, Gracie, Frances and Nathaniel.

Coupeville’s Irish leprechaun will be greatly missed by his family and friends.