WILMINGTON — Harry Peter Kelleman was born on August 22, 1957 in Perth Amboy, NJ. He grew up on Oak Avenue in Woodbridge, N.J., where he lived with his father, brother, and grandparents. He graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1975.
In the 1990s, Harry worked and lived in Freehold, N.J., where he met his future wife, Laura. Shortly after meeting, they moved to Matawan, N.J., where they would settle down and start a family. In 1994, their son Matthew was born. Harry and Laura lived in Matawan for 30 years, and in 2021 moved to Wilmington, N.C. Harry quickly took to all that Wilmington has to offer, and was known and loved by his new friends. He never missed going on his weekly dates downtown with Laura.
Harry had many diverse interests throughout his life. He was an avid cyclist who also enjoyed playing softball, throwing horseshoes and lifting weights in his younger years. He loved grilling and cooking for guests. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of music, and was well known for his signature Grateful Dead tie dye shirts. Harry was a diehard sports fan. He never missed an opportunity to talk about or watch the Cowboys and Mets with his son Matthew. As an animal lover, Harry and his dog Nala were attached at the hip from the day he got her.
When Harry and Laura lived in New Jersey, they enjoyed regular trips to New Hope, N.J., which was Harry’s favorite place to visit because it was laid back and unpretentious, just like he was.
Harry was a humble yet remarkable man who lived life on his terms. He will forever be remembered as a kind and caring friend, a loving husband to Laura and, most of all, a phenomenal father to Matthew.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Andrews Market Street Chapel. Casual and colorful attire is requested as Harry would have wanted it.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials in Harry’s name be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or ASPCA.
