Earlier this week Stone Federation Great Britain announced to members, with deep sadness and shock, the sudden passing of Chris Kelsey, Immediate Past President of Stone Federation and friend and colleague to so many in the tile and stone sectors.
Chris was a longstanding supporter of the Federation and, as well as serving as Stone Federation President from 2021–2024, he was also Chair of the Interiors & Surface Materials Focus Group as well as an integral part of the creation and development of our Stone Academy, involved in writing many technical documents and speaker at countless CPDs and training courses.
He was instrumental in researching and formulating the training that is to form part of The Stone Academy which was one of the things that he was most proud to be involved in and will be a lasting legacy to him.
Chris had initially planned to be an architect, but instead decided to work on the construction side of the industry and started as a Trainee Draughtsman at Shackletons of York in 1980. Over the following 44 years, Chris worked at various companies across the industry including Doncaster and Sons Masonry Ltd, Pisani Ltd, MI Group, Rotherham Masonry, Miller Druck International Stone, Natural Stone Sales Ltd and The Marble & Granite Centre.
Jane Buxey, Stone Federation Chief Executive said: “The loss of Chris Kelsey has been felt right across the natural stone industry, which serves as a testament to the impact that he had.
“Chris was truly one of a kind, a committed, reliable supporter of the Federation, and an incredibly kind, caring, and funny colleague and friend to so many of us.
“His willingness and eagerness to pass on his knowledge to the younger people entering the industry truly demonstrated the kind of person that he was, always willing to help and encourage.
We will, over the coming days look to find a fitting way to mark Chris’ legacy and impact on the stone industry, but in these early moments of processing his loss, I would like to publicly thank him for his friendship, his mentorship and his kindness. He will be sorely missed.”
Stone Federation has been overwhelmed by the number of tributes received for Chris, and these will be passed on to his widow Mae.
