CFL Calgary Stampeders

Club Mourns Death of Original Stampeder

Published on November 15, 2012 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release


The Calgary Stampeder Football Club is mourning the death of I.H. (Whitey) Kelsey, who was a member of the inaugural edition of the Stampeders in 1945. Kelsey passed away on Nov. 7 at the age of 90 following a long struggle with complications arising from kidney failure.

In addition to his time with the Stampeders, Kelsey played for the Calgary Bronks - the Stamps' predecessors on the Calgary professional football scene. In 1975, Kelsey was a founding member of the Stampeders' alumni association.

Kelsey was born near Cremona, Alta., and he attended Calgary's Central Memorial High School before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was only 19 when he started operational flying in North Africa as well as anti-submarine patrols off West Africa. Following the war, he flew for Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada and later was a freelance travel writer for the Globe and Mail.

He is predeceased by his first wife, Thelma Whitman, and survived by sons Brian and Murray and daughter Marilyn as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of Kelsey's life will be held on Saturday. Nov. 17 at the Marriott Hotel.

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