KELLY – Michael Leo
Born Monday July 04, 1949. Passed away Wednesday September 23, 2026.
Adored son of Pat & Ray (both dec) and dear brother of John, Patrick & Ray.
Cherished husband of Sue. Beloved Dad of Natasha, Luke, Jess & Simon
and their partners Pete, Clare, Michael & Sam.
Treasured Pa to Lachie, Jasmine (dec) & Darcy;
Neve, Vic, Scarlett & Leo; Heidi;
Link, Delilah & Evelina.
Loved by the Kelly and Stewart families.
We will always remember Mike’s ready laugh, intellectual curiosity,
commitment to social justice, passion for Bob Dylan and love of family.
Funeral notice
A Celebration of the life of Michael Leo Kelly will be held in the Grand Dining Room at the Vue Grand Hotel, Hesse Street, Queenscliff on FRIDAY (October 2, 2026) at 1.30pm.
Following Michael's Celebration of life, you are invited to stay and join family for light refreshments.
For disability entrance advice and for those wishing to book accommodation, ring the Vue Grand Hotel directly. There is also a discounted accommodation rate available.
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Sue and the Kelly family wish to thank the dedicated staff at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Point Lonsdale Medical Group, Pardeys' Pharmacy and the Bellarine Community Health - both community nurses and the Palliative Care Team.
Tributes
Mike was a valued member of our Discussion Group at Men’s Shed.
Mike not only contributed ideas he had developed over many years but also sought and listened to ideas from members on issues he was currently exploring, eg. “The role of fathers”
He often referred to his own family and the pride he had in the way they had developed as parents themselves.
Before becoming unwell Mike also supported me in running the Group for which I am very grateful.
Mike would have been extremely proud of what his family thought of him as expressed at his memorial.
We miss you, Mike.
Sue and the family are grieving deeply, but your values live on in them. I believe they will carry those values into the years ahead and pass them on to others, including their own families, making the world a better place because of you.
Len Gould
October 03, 2026 12:28 pm
He was always such a friendly and welcoming presence. I feel fortunate to have grown up with his daughter, and the person she is today is a beautiful reflection of the love and care he gave as a father.
October 03, 2026 9:47 am
In the 1980's, Mick was instrumental in the establishment of the Geelong Bipolar Group.
In doing so, Mick has helped thousands of people as not only did this support group give valuable information to people but also made this terrible disease less stigmatizing.
A good and enduring legacy for a good man.
Lisa Stewart.October 03, 2026 6:51 am
Mick has been part of our family for more than 50 years. Not only was he my brother-in-law but a collaborator on a number of work projects. I admire his strong commitment to social equity, his willingness to apply creative solutions to any problem he may have come across, be it a work issue or a home maintenance challenge. Most of all, I admire his commitment to his family who, I am confident, will continue his legacy.
September 30, 2026 12:09 pm
Dad and Mum have always had a fridge magnet that says,“The best thing to spend on your children is your time.”
Many of my favourite memories of Dad are simply of time spent together: him driving me to school when I’d miss the bus (neither of us morning people); Dad choosing a particular Bob Dylan or Peter, Paul and Mary song for me (“Home Is Where the Heart Is”) and saying, “Listen to this”; us laughing at Blackadder (“Bob”) or The Three Amigos; enjoying the view from a chairlift after he’d finally coaxed me onto it; and talking about our studies, ethics, the cosmos and, more recently, parenting.
Towards the end of his life, Dad told me that the best decision he ever made was choosing Mum as his partner, and that his children and grandchildren were the legacy he was most proud of.
I’m so grateful for all the time Dad gave me.September 29, 2026 3:34 pm
Michael was a much loved brother-in-law of the Stewart’s: Gayle & Michael, Phillip & Susan, Janine & Mario ( dec.), Lisa, Collette, Simone & Graeme, Marc and their families .
Sending love to Sue and her family.
Mick will be sadly missed by us all.
September 29, 2026 1:46 pm