My condolences to everyone who loved Kevin, and to his daughters in particular. It is so sad. Today is his birthday. I have been hesitating whether to write something here as so public. Kevin and I were in a relationship from 1993 to 1995 (with some interruption). I was crazy about him and surprised he fell for me, the lighthouse that he was. We met on Marco Island in the bar of the restaurant where he was working, the Bavarian Inn. I worked in the offices across the street and frequently visited that bar with my colleagues. He had been watching me, called me, convinced me to go dancing. After that we spent all our free time together and had lots of fun until he moved to Virginia (for a job) and our relationship became long distance ✈️. I am from the Netherlands. My visa expired in the summer of 1995 and I spent the last months before l left living with Kevin in Virginia. We did unfortunately not manage to continue our relationship after I left. I regretted that. It was not the right timing I think. We were in touch every now and then over the next two years. After that we did not speak anymore except maybe once 20+ years ago. After that I did not know anymore where he was and hoped we would some day reconnect.

This year mid June Kevin suddenly reached out. We reconnected, texted and called eachother frequently and shared the story of our lives over the past 30 years. We were so happy to be in touch again. We also shared music and food as he shared playlists and immediately cooked a recipe I sent him. Unfortunately then, after speaking every day that last week, he suddenly disappeared. It was rather traumatic to find out he died. I am however super grateful that he reached out before this happened. We did not finish our stories, he did not manage to make the trip to Europe he was dreaming of, and I wish we could continue to speak, but at least we reconnected quite intensely. 

Some of the pictures above this obituary are actually from me (Christmas party on Marco Island, trip to the Keys, trip to Blue ridge mountains). I will post a few other pictures.

Happy birthday Kevin, wherever you are now 😘

Kevin

Some of my all time favorites

I Met Kevin and Nick Demarco in our Freshman Dorm. Anderson.

Probably through my fantastic roommate Kevin Carroll.

Sorry, this is a bit stream of consciousness! 

Seeing people in different lenses,

Father, Dad, Uncle, Husband, Friend.

We hit it off, we all rushed Sigma Chi at Miami.

They would have us line up at the Beta Bells at the center of campus.

We were typically none to pleased when they summoned us, at 9,10 11at night. There were 27-30 of us in the pledge class. The 3 of us would usually try to hide in some out of the way bar, so our pledge brothers would have to come find us. Not everyone was amused!

We decided to room together at 3rd floor triple.

I remember moving in our sophomore year. It was a pit. It was scorching hot, and Nick and I were sitting on a couple beds that were on the floor, just talking about what we were going to do. Kevin is standing next to the window, I think he leaned over to turn on the Air Conditioner that was in the window. The operative word is (was), the next thing you know all we saw was the cord whipping out the window .. Kevin said something like I don’t think the AC works! As it smashed to the ground. Nick and I were laughing so hard we were crying. The master of the understatement!

Another time that is very vivid in my memory was hell week.

They took all the pledges down to the basement, on like a linoleum floor.

At first they searched our bags for contraband. Anything that made our stay easier was taken. Or they planted stuff in our bags, and asked us why we bringing The playboy magazines or alcohol to Hell week.

Help week!

After the Scummy bowling, which was a near naked kid being thrown down the linoleum coated with water and trying to knock down  bowling pins. We cleaned the floor the best we could since we would be sleeping there the next 6 nights . Or trying to sleep there.

One of the funniest things that Kevin and I saw was Nick.

There were a few unlucky soles that had jobs during H week.

Kevin and I were sitting next to the cassette player, on one wall and Nick directly across from us.

Kevin and I had the enviable job of watching Nick get up about every 4 minutes to rewind the Cassette, and start it playing the Song Green Door, then he would go sit down , after about 3 hours of this Nick was not happy….Kevin and I laughed so hard every time he got up. Oh Boy!

I thank Kevin and Nick to occasionally going back home to Sylvania. I remember meeting a lot more of their friends like Chris Pollack ,

We had fun!

I got to meet the whole family! Dr. And Mrs Roberts , Call us Dick and Nancy! Dave, Steve, Chris, Pam, and the little brat, Lisa! (Just kidding).

A 6 pack of Gobelle, I brought to the house one time, your Dad let me have it. In a very funny way of course!  I serve you Heineken and good booze, and you bring this swill!   

I remember coming down to Daufuski a few times. Always great to see your parents. Your Mom and Dad were wonderful to me! One day,

Kevin, Crissy, Cheryl and I played Euchre for like 8 hours. It was raining, Kevin kept making food, we kept drinking whatever we could find.

I am very sad! And pissed off!

But let’s make this a celebration of memories! Those great memories!

So many great Kevin laughs…. Him singing and dancing ! Cooking drinking ,

Kevin and I decided to go to the U2 show at Rupp Arena. (Of course Kevin introduced them to me before they went big time) I think Dave was coming down in an RV with our girl friends and other fraternity brothers. While Kevin and I drove to Lexington and decided to have a shot of whiskey at every bar that surrounded Rupp Arena!

Then our next task was to find The RV. Somehow before Cell phones we turned a corner and it was driving down the street, Kevin and I jumped on the front of the RV.

The RV had a keg and our friends on it. So we then proceeded to go inside and found out our seats were the 2nd highest row in the entire place. So we looked at each other , And said no way! Let’s go to the floor . So we flash our tickets and got in, and sat down dead center row 10 or so. About 5 mins before the show we got kicked out .

So we moved forward to about row 7 dead center and watched the entire show . Bono said hello to Kevin and I what song wood you like to hear? Just kidding !

Bad by U2!

Having friends is like your golf game.  (I know this is a strange analogy) 

You practice the driver, your putter suffers. You practice your wedges, your driver suffers, your putter is like your family, because some times you love it (Billy Bert) but some times you hate it, because you can’t make it work. The hard part about is that you better make it work because it happens to be 50% or more of the game. The moral of the story practice your putting ! Don’t miss those short putts, the ones that you need to be there for your family!

I am sad, but more just happy I knew him !!

We were the lucky ones!!

Peter McColgan 

I grew up with Kevin, as one of my BFFs (Lisa) older brother, and then as my first boyfriend’s housemate! Kevin had a great smile and happy eyes,  and I was also impressed that Lisa could handle his smart ass comments and big brother shenanigans. Kevin was 2 years older than us, but he still intimidated me. Yet Not sure why he cuz all I remember was him smiling and laughing. 

I am so sorry that Kevin is gone. And that you - his children-  won’t have him in your lives as you grow older. I hope you can remember the kind man he was whose life touched so many of us. I know Lisa and and all your aunts & uncles will help you recall that all of Kevin’s life, he was someone people wanted to be around, made people laugh and who looked good driving the family minivan when he was 17 years old!

Betsy Areddy Kelly