Raymond Anthony Kelly

Raymond Anthony Kelly, MBA, passed away suddenly at home on April 13. As vice president of Eurofins Company, he was a specialist in mergers and acquisitions, sizing up companies for possible purchase. He was 53. 

Raymond was born in Carndonagh County, Donegal, Ireland, to Seamus and Bridie (O’Donnell) Kelly. Until age 17, he attended grade school at the Franciscan College, Gormanston, in County Meath. He then went to University College, Dublin, earning a degree in mechanical engineering in 1991. In 1994, he earned a stockbroker’s license from the Securities and Exchange Commission in New York City.  

Raymond then worked for several companies: Novum (a refrigeration technology company); two restaurants, Smith and Wollensky and La Cité; and Chatfield Dean stockbrokers in New York City. Returning to Ireland, he became managing director of LMS Oil Company, a family-owned Shell Oil franchise in Sligo, a position he held from 1994 to 2001. In 2000, he earned a diploma in applied finance from the Irish Management Institute in Dublin. 

Raymond married Brighid Tara Brooks on September 17, 1999, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. The couple started out in Sligo, Ireland, but moved to North Carolina in 2001 so that Raymond could attend Duke University Fuqua School of Business, where he focused on finance. Raymond was vice president of the school’s Energy Club and an active member of several other school clubs: Finance, Venture Capital, and MBA Charity Games. In 2003, after earning his MBA, he started working in the mergers and acquisitions department of Eastman Chemical in Tennessee, and later worked for the Kingspan company, near Baltimore. 

For the past four years or so, Raymond worked for Eurofins, a multinational company that operates various types of testing laboratories around the world and has its North American headquarters in Lancaster. Raymond was vice president of corporate development there, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, and he supervised a group of five assistants. After his passing, Eurofins shared these reflections: 

Raymond was extremely accomplished and highly talented in corporate development and finance. He had a huge personality and a quick wit, and he used his skills very effectively. He was deeply valued by his team, fellow leaders in the U.S., and peers globally. He spearheaded dozens of acquisitions, including three of our largest, positioning us as a market leader in many of the industries we serve. We will remember Raymond for his many accomplishments, but even more so for his friendship and the many interesting and engaging interactions we had with him through the years.

Professionally, Raymond’s greatest strength was his ability to read thick financial statements and other company documents and truly understand what the company was worth, what its cash flow and debt were, and whether it was worth recommending for purchase. Raymond was also a terrific negotiator, often travelling to Japan, Canada, and Belgium, as well as other parts of Europe. A few years back, he even traveled to Brazil. He was in his element when conducting these deals.

Personally, Raymond was known for his huge smile, great laugh, and funny jokes and one-liners, and also for truly enjoying other people. He had a knack for remembering everyone’s names and what they did. He loved parties, often entertaining at his house, mingling and chatting with everyone. He was an expert sailor and dabbled in wine-making. Raymond was a consummate gentleman, a faithful friend, a devoted husband of 20 years, and a kind and doting father. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Brighid (Brooks); their three children, Seamus, age 17; Kathleen Rose, age 14; and Brighid Veronica, age 11; and his mother, Bridie. He is also survived by his four brothers, Dr. Cathal, Brian, Dr. Seamus, and Conor, all of Ireland. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 21, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 430 Valleybrook Road, Glen Mills. The funeral mass will be held the same morning at 11 a.m., also at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Burial will be in the cemetery at St. Thomas the Apostle. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cityteam Chester — a charity that feeds the poor — at cityteam.org. 

Condolences are being accepted at nolanfidale.com.