Tommy Lewis Kelsey's Obituary
It is with great sadness that Chapel of the Chimes Hayward announces the passing of our Cemetery Superintendent, Tommy Kelsey. Tom passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024, at his home with his family present after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his spouse, Cindie; daughter, Melinda (Shane); stepdaughter, Carrie (Michael); step-sons, Christopher and Cory; brother, Danny (Monica); grandsons, Austin, Chaz, Cody, James, Kyle, Cody, Garrett, Riley and Roland; granddaughters, Makaila, Shyanne and Brandi; and great-granddaughter Hazel. Tom was preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda; mother, Marjorie; father, Leon; and sisters, Nancy and DeeDee.
Tom was a family man above all else. He enjoyed raising his daughters instilling his strong work ethic, sense of humor, stubbornness and Love. His was proud, proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments, who they became, and the lives they lead.
Tom joined Chapel of the Chimes Oakland in 2006 and climbed the ladder to Cemetery Superintendent before transitioning to the Superintendent role at Chapel of the Chimes Hayward in 2021. He has left a lasting impression and an indelible impact on not only both locations, but the Bay Area NorthStar locations as a whole.
Tom was a one-of-a-kind person. His love for unfrosted pop tarts was an endearing quirk. While most people gravitated toward the sugary, frosted varieties, Tom simply preferred the unfrosted ones causing many people to do a double take (we are sure Kellogg’s will also be mourning his passing). His french fries had to be served “piping hot,” a preference he never compromised on, yet was oddly appropriate for the man we knew.
As holidays rolled around, Tom was known by all to take decorating extremely seriously. His love for holidays extended beyond the ordinary. Each year, like clockwork, he would request multiple days off to transform his house into a whimsical Grinch wonderland for Halloween. It was a labor of love—an art form that brought joy to both Tom and his neighborhood.
Beyond his culinary idiosyncrasies and his decorating prowess, Tom’s true legacy lay in his role as a mentor. He possessed an innate ability to guide others—whether colleagues, friends, or young professionals—toward their best selves. Tom listened patiently, never imposing his views but gently nudging others toward growth. His wisdom was practical, grounded in life experience rather than theoretical ideals. Many owe their success to his steady hand and unwavering support. Tom was a reserved man with a straightforward manner of speaking. He was patient and kind but could emphasize a point when necessary. He gave as good as he got, but also gave everyone a fair shot. Most unexpectedly, he was incredibly funny and was not afraid to laugh at himself. His impact as a friend and mentor will be cherished and remembered fondly, and he will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life for Tom on Saturday, August 24th, at 11am at his home 14 E 21st Street, in Tracy, CA. A Remembrance Service will also be held at Chapel of the Chimes Hayward at a date and time to be determined for Bay Area employees to pay respects and remember a wonderful man.
What’s your fondest memory of Tommy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Tommy?
Share a story where Tommy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Tommy you’ll never forget.
How did Tommy make you smile?