L E G A C Y
George B. Kelley, Founder and First President of Alpha Chapter The late George Biddle Kelley, one of the seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., died on May 5, 1962 in Troy, New York. On the 10th of May, 1962, funeral services for Jewel Brother Kelley were held at the Liberty Presbyterian Church in Troy. The Omega service for an Alpha man was also performed. Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha from throughout the United States attended the funeral. Included in this group were presidents and general officers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Jewel Brother Kelley was interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York. As the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha left the cemetery on May 10, 1962, although they were saddened by the death of Jewel Brother Kelley, they felt that he had been laid to rest in an appropriate place and that his grave would be a perpetual memorial. In the fall of 1977, the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha in New York State convened in annual conference at Albany, New York. The Brothers of graduate chapter Beta Pi Lambda were host to the convention. In planning for the event, it was decided that a pilgrimage would be made to Jewel Brother Kelley's grave. It was at that time that facts became known that became of great concern
THE RESETTING OF A JEWEL By Brother Paul B. Zuber to the Brothers of Beta Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. It appeared that Jewel Brother Kelley's grave had been removed from Oakwood Cemetery and transferred to the gravesite of his parents at the New Mt. Ida Cemetery in the City of Troy. After a great deal of investigation, the new site was found and it was also learned that a headstone had never been placed on the grave. The pilgrimage was held and the absence of the gravestone was now known to the Brothers who attended the conference. Shortly after the conference, the Brothers of Beta Pi Lambda Chapter felt that steps should be taken to not only secure an appropriate gravestone but also to improve the landscape around the grave site. A committee was formed headed by Brother
Chrispin Hall, Jr. to carry out this mission. The family of Jewel Brother Kelley was contacted and permission was secured for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to place a gravestone at the burial site. Beta Pi Lambda Chapter then petitioned the New York State District, the Eastern Region and the General Office of Alpha Phi Alpha for support in its effort to provide for an appropriate memorial for Jewel Brother Kelley. The Brothers of Beta Pi Lambda Chapter, feeling that this was an urgent matter, opted to secure the funds to purchase the gravestone and put it in place. The Chapter felt sure that the state, regional and national organizations would provide financial assistance for this important effort. On Sunday, the 23rd of May, 1980, a memorial service for Jewel Brother George Biddle Kelley was held at New Mt. Ida Cemetery. The gravestone was dedicated by Brother Joseph Kerr. The Brothers of Beta Pi Lambda Chapter felt that a positive step had been taken towards the appropriate memorialization of Jewel Brother George Biddle Kelley. Shortly after the dedication of the new grave site and gravestone, funds were made available by the national organization for the work that had been done at New Mt. Ida