R. Brant Kelley
Randolph Brant Kelley Jr., ‘Brant’, 78, of Stamford, died at Stamford Hospital after a long illness. Born in Greenwich, CT, he was the son of the late Randolph Brant Sr. and Clare (Higgins) Kelley of Augusta, GA. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Greenwich,
CT in 1965. After graduation, he served in the United States Army from October 1966 – October 1969 and was deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. During his professional career Brant was a Quality Assurance Analyst at Allen Systems Group, formerly Mobius Management.
Brant was a volunteer member of Springdale Fire Company from January 1992 until his death. Over the years he held office as Assistant Chief (2006 – 2019), President (2020 – present), and Treasurer (1994 –2020) and achieved veteran member status. In addition, Brant was a member of the South Norwalk Boat Club and VFW Post 9617.
Anyone who knew Brant knew he was an avid drag racer and his pride and joy was his 1967 Ford Fairlane. He made many friends on the race car circuit and was affectionately known as “Mr. Connecticut.” His family wants to extend special thanks to Steve McBlane and James Joyce, his close friends and constant companions at all the races.
Brant is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joy (Frangione) Kelley of Stamford; his two sons, Keith M. Kelley and Todd M. Kelley (Maria) of Stamford; his grandchildren Taylor, Jackson, and Joseph of Stamford; his grandson Parker of New Canaan; his brother, Terrell F. Kelley of Stamford; brother-in-law Robert M. Frangione (Joann); nephew Robert M. Frangione Jr. (Lisa); niece Ashley Frangione of New Canaan; niece Meghan Frangione of New Canaan; great-nephew Robert M. Frangione III of New Canaan; and great-nieces Kate and Julie Frangione of New Canaan. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-
law Renate Kelley of Stamford, brother-in-law Roy A. Frangione, and sister-in-law June O. Frangione of New Canaan.
The family would like to thank Dr. Walter O’Donnell and his team from Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Santi Neuberger and Angela Cardillo-Thagouras, Dr. William Hines and staff, Davita Stamford Dialysis, and all of the hospice staff at Stamford Hospital for the care and support they offered to Brant.
Friends and family may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A ceremony will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue, Darien, CT 06820.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Brant Kelley’s name, in honor of Taylor Kelley, to Stamford Hospital’s Cohen Children’s Institute or Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital whom both provided life-saving treatment for his granddaughter Taylor in 2019.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.