Obituary of Kevin Wellech

Kevin Wellech, 50, of Brooklyn, NY peacefully passed away at home on January 10th after a long and hard-fought battle with degenerative kidney disease. 
 

Born in Lyndhurst, NJ, Kevin, his older brother Michael, and his mom lived in Carteret, New Jersey until 1980 when they moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut until 1989 before moving back to New Jersey. 

Once back in Jersey, Kevin began to curate his love of music.  He, his brother Michael. and cousin AJ Racioppi, who was more like a brother, spent many hours listening to Rush, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai and countless others.  Kevin picked up his first guitar at age 12 and didn’t put it down for the next 38 years.

Kevin graduated from Bernards High School in 1993 and chose to live in NYC to pursue his passion for art and music. 

His undying enthusiasm for art led him to become a scenic designer and painter.  He spent a number of years as a painter for a set design company in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He had a hand in many window displays throughout the city as well as working on commercials and Broadway productions. One of his proudest achievements was helping his friend and business partner, Roof, design his bar Lula Mae in Brooklyn, NY.

Known to many as Kerby, Kevin was a true renaissance man.  He loved to travel and see the world.  He was an excellent cook and an established home brewer.  He was also an avid fan of the band Phish and saw them play all around the country.  Celebrating their famed New Year’s Eve runs alongside those he loved was one of his greatest joys.

Kevin is survived by his brother Michael Wellech (Katie) of Lincoln Park, sisters Michelle Bodtmann (Alan), Noelle Crevani (James) of Roselle Park, Gabrielle Buttell (Greg) of Watchung, and Danielle Grady (Kenneth) of Bridgewater, nine nieces & nephews, amazing aunts and sibling-level cousins.  They will all miss him terribly

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He is predeceased by his loving parents Margeurite & James Buttell and Michael Wellech, Sr. 
 

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, January 20th from 5-8pm at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The National Kidney Foundation