At the recent Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting, a proclamation was read declaring May 21, 2020, as Ben Kelly Day.
Ben Kelly
The proclamation was drafted by First District Supervisor John Leopold to honor the loss of the local entrepreneur, who at the age of 26 had developed a marketing company and made his own brand of surfboards.
Kelly was surfing off Sand Dollar Beach near Watsonville on May 9 when he was fatally attacked by a shark.
“Ben practiced his belief that surfing was so much more than just catching waves,” Leopold said in the declaration. “It was about the people he met and the continuous grand adventures that made it fun while blessing others along the way.
Keith Greeninger performed a tribute at the ceremony, and Kelly’s wife, Katie, spoke about the loss of her husband.
Katie Kelly
“I’ve been so overwhelmed by the way the Santa Cruz community has come along beside me, and Ben, and just really supported us.” Katie said. “We were only here for 3 ½ years before this … we just really, really thank you, the way that Santa Cruz has come, as like family to us. I really appreciate this. God bless you guys.”
Click Here for links to video of the proclamation and responses. The full proclamation is displayed below.
Visit tpgonlinedaily.com/ben-kelly-a-tribute to read Times Publishing Group, Inc.’s tribute to Kelly.
Top Photo: Katie receives the proclamation from Supervisor Leopold.
The Proclamation Declaring May 21, 2020 as Ben Kelly Day.