Richard A. Kellaway

Rev. Richard A. Kellaway of Dorchester, passed away peacefully after a short illness on March 21, 2021 at the age of 86. Richard was the loving father of Ronald Kellaway of New Bedford and Andrea Kellaway of Dorchester, the loving grandfather of Ethan Kellaway and Angela Stites. He was the oldest brother of John Kellaway of New Hampshire, Joanne Kellaway of Taunton, Susan Creeden of Wareham, the late Ken Kellaway, and the late Patricia Hess. He was survived by his former wife Jean Dickinson Kellaway.

Richard was the son of the late Arthur K. and Bertha (Sturtevant) Kellaway and stepson of the late Lorraine (Lowell) Kellaway. Richard was born in Newton, and graduated from Antioch College 1956, Southern Illinois University 1957, and Harvard Divinity School 1961. He was ordained in 1961 and listed as a noteworthy minister and art association administrator by Marquis Who’s Who.

Richard served as a minister or interim minister in many Unitarian Universalist churches. He was the minister at the First Unitarian Church, New Bedford from 1960 to 1968 and again from 1986 to 1999; Fourth Universalist Society, New York City from 1968 to 1976; Unitarian Universalist Church Sarasota from 1981 to 1986; First Unitarian Church of Providence 2000; First Parish of Medfield from 2000 to 2001; and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Stowe, Vermont from 2010 to 2014. He was the Associate Director for US Programs of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Boston from 1976 to 1980.  Since 2001, Richard served as the Coordinator of North American International Association for Religious Freedom. Richard retired in 1999 with the designation of Minister Emeritus of the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford. After his retirement, Richard was a long-time member of First Parish Church of Dorchester and he cared deeply for the parish’s members and mission. He preached from their pulpit and shared his knowledge of experiences as a Unitarian Minister and Unitarian Universalist history.

Richard was an advocate for social justice and enjoyed philosophical discussions about current issues. Richard was an avid reader and a gifted writer, whose published works include The Trying Out: Personal Reflections on the Universal Adventure. Richard’s love for opera, classical music, and visual art followed him through his travels across the globe and at home in New England. His passion for the arts and art collection led to Richard becoming the founding president of the New Bedford Art Museum in 1995. He was also the president of the Tryworks Collection of New Bedford and Dorchester—an art institution of the New England Museum Association. He served as the Vice President of the Friends of Haffenreffer Museum of Bristol, Rhode Island from 1995 to 2000.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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