By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

During the holiday season, Somerville lost a kind and selfless man who, without much fanfare, humbly played a significant role in the re-blossoming of our city. Local restaurateur Ken Kelly left his fingerprints all over this city. Ken believed in Somerville’s promise back before it was cool to believe in Somerville. We would not be the city we are today without him.

Ken succumbed to cancer two days before Christmas, leaving behind a wife and two children he adored. He left us way too young. Ken deserved decades more Christmas mornings and New Year’s toasts. If anyone had a reason to feel cheated out of what would have been some of the best years of his life, it was Ken, but he was never once bitter. It just wasn’t his way. He had been fighting this battle for longer than most of us knew, yet his focus always was on what he could do to help out other people.

I got to visit him in hospice five days before he passed and we parted with him exhibiting some of his trademark good humor. I promised to be back within the week, largely because I didn’t want it to be the last time I saw him. We both knew he didn’t have much more time. Ken’s response was, “Once a week is fine. Even you can wear out your welcome.” That was Ken. He put a smile on my face to make the parting easier on me.

I first got to know him when he put together his plans to open the Independent in Union Square. Little known fact, Ken originally wanted to call it the Galway Hooker, but there were certain details in the seedier history of the square that made that a less than optimal choice. He decided the Independent made more sense and made a huge personal investment in Union Square. People could have accused him of being crazy at the time, and probably did. Union Square was by no means a sure bet back in 2001.

Yet Ken had faith and no shortage of energy. You never doubted him. You knew he’d find a way to make it work. Ken knew how to plan. On top of that, he realized the success of his business extended beyond his front door. He was instrumental, along with Mimi Graney of Union Square Main Streets, in trying to build more of a community in Union Square. He revived the music scene there. We take it for granted now, but Ken was the one taking the financial risk and bringing in folks like Peter Wolf from the J. Geils Band to prove the square could be a nightlife destination—and that’s what it became.

He also was a huge supporter of the local arts scene and ArtsUnion events. The What the Fluff Festival, the Rock and Roll Yard Sale, the Ignite! Global Food and Fire Festival – all those events happen on the doorsteps of two of Ken’s businesses and anything he could do to help make Union Square a more festive, vibrant place, he was first in line to help. It was simply Ken’s nature to give back.

When it came to the Green Line extension, once again, Ken was a leading advocate. He helped rally local businesses in support of the project. He saw big things in Union Square’s future and put in the sweat equity to turn a lot of people’s dreams into reality. It was not an easy path to take. I remember in 2008 asking him how things were going and he cracked a smile and told me it was the first time in eight years he didn’t have to take money out of his own pocket to keep his business going.

That’s when it really struck how fortunate I was to be in the same foxhole as Ken Kelly. As a mayor you can make all the grandiose plans you want, but someone still has put their money on the line to build out the community. With Ken, it went beyond money though. He was invested in Somerville. Behind every success story you’ll find people who made it work. Ken epitomized that. When others might have quit, he stood firm.

And when it all began to come together, he opened Precinct, now known as Brass Union, a few doors down from the Independent. After that he opened Foundry on Elm in Davis Square. He followed that with Saloon. When Federal Realty was looking to add some local flavor to the mix in Assembly Row, Ken was at the top of their list. He opened River Bar there. On any given night, when people are out enjoying the nightlife and restaurant scene in Somerville, there’s a decent chance they’re going to be in one of Ken’s establishments.

So much of what we think of as funky, artistic, vibrant Somerville, traces back directly to Ken. So much of the promise in Union Square and the incredible opportunities we have there as a community now, leads back to him as well. He had a gigantic impact on this city. I was lucky enough to know Ken on a personal level. So I’ll remember him as a U2 fanatic and a guy who never missed a Boston College football game. Yet this city owes Ken an enormous thanks. He helped transform Somerville. It only took one Ken Kelly to make a huge difference.