The influential founder of Inland Seas Education, Tom Kelly, passed away on January 8, 2016 at the age of 67 from Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Known as Captain Tom to thousands of students throughout Michigan, he is remembered for dedicating his life to spreading environmental awareness and teaching students about loving and protecting the Great Lakes.
Kelly began researching Great Lakes water back in 1972 and founded Inland Seas in 1989 — since then, the program has educated more than 100,000 students.
The staff and volunteers of Inland Seas wrote that they, “are sad to see Tom Kelly, Captain and founder, leave us, but grateful for time spent and lessons learned from him. We will miss him dearly, and carry his vision forward with us. Although he may no longer be among us, his mark on the world is indelible, and we are better for it.”
Kelly is survived by his wife, Anne, children, Emma and Graham, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.
