Joseph G. Kaelin passed away on October 23, 2013, from complications due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
A lifelong resident of Riverhead, Joe was born on April 1, 1942 to D. Russell and Viola (nee Raynor), the third of four boys. After graduating Riverhead High School in 1961, Joe started his 38 year career with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York. His first job was a night loader, and he worked his way up the corporate ladder to key account manager.
He retired from Coca-Cola in 2000. While working at Coca-Cola, Joe and his wife Mary Ann started Kaelin’s Concessions, a family-run summer business. During that first summer in 1976, he and Mary Ann, along with their boys Jimmy and Joseph, would feed hungry beach-goers hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and other assorted fare at Dolphin Beach in East Quogue. During the next seven years, the business grew with Joe and Mary Ann operating other concession stands along Dune Road, including Tiana and Ponquogue Town Beaches and Cupsogue County Park.
In 1982, Kaelin’s Concessions left the beach for Cedar Point County Park in Easthampton. For 31 years, Joe and Mary Ann helped thousands of campers at the Cedar Point Park General Store, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, dispensing invaluable information about the best places to fish, and always showing a family-friendly movie every Saturday night.
Being involved in his community was very important to Joe. Joe served as a volunteer fireman for the Riverhead Fire Department for 44 years and was an ex-captain with the Red Bird Hook and Ladder Company. In addition, he was active with the Rotary Club of Hauppauge, serving as its treasurer. Joe was also an active member of the Riverhead Republican Committee, working as custodian of the polling equipment every Election Day.
In addition to his wife of 50 years, Mary Ann (nee Spitaleri), Joe is survived by his two sons, Jim and his wife Terri of Fairfax, Virginia, and Joseph and his wife Tricia of Riverhead. Joe was predeceased by his grandson, Jimmy, in 2003, but is survived by his grandchildren Tommy, Katie, Lily, and Kyle. He also leaves behind his brothers Dan and his wife Pat of Jamesport, Harold and his wife Celinda of Florissant, Colorado, and Rod and his wife Drew of Wilmington, North Carolina, as well as many other relatives and friends.
Family will be receiving condolences at the R.H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead on Monday and Tuesday, October 28 and 29, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. each day, with services and interment being held at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 30 at 9:15 a.m.
