Obituary: Lawrence A. Kellem

Lawrence A. Kellem, 90

Lawrence A. Kellem of Hull passed peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the age of 90.

Mr. Kellem was predeceased by his amazing wife of 62 years, Cynthia, and is survived by his son David Kellem (and his partner, Kristin Beane), his son Steven Kellem (and his partner, Andraea McKenney), and his daughter, Amy Slotnick (and her husband, Dan). Mr. Kellem was the grandfather of Sarah Rubin and her husband, Matt, Jordan Kellem and his wife, Katie, Matthew Kellem, Noah Kellem, Will Kellem, and Nell Asbrand. Mr. Kellem’s life was beautifully brightened by his great-grandsons, Parker Kellem and Davis Rubin.

Mr. Kellem was a renowned citizen and leader in the Town of Hull, which was his full-time hometown since the 1950s. His many civic accomplishments include leading the establishment of a permanent, full-service medical center in Hull, for which he was honored by the dedication of the facility in his name. During the Blizzard of ’78, Mr. Kellem organized the townwide response effort to establish temporary shelter for hundreds of displaced residents, and he was a key figure in the town’s recovery in the aftermath of the storm. Even though Mr. Kellem took much pride in serving as president and board member of the Hull Chamber of Commerce and as president, treasurer and board member of Temple Beth Sholom, his favorite accomplishment was managing the 1971 Hull Little League championship team, Paragon Park. To countless other civic and charitable groups, Mr. Kellem was a willing and much-sought-out advisor.

Professionally, Mr. Kellem was a respected and talented attorney. He was one of the last great small-town general practitioners, maintaining his private practice in Hull for more than 50 years. He met the legal needs of nearly everyone and in every way – from drafting simple wills to crafting zoning bylaws; from defending Hull’s sons and daughters (who may have had too much to drink) to shepherding the permitting of hotels and licensing of restaurants. He was a constant advocate and a sage influence at Hull town meetings. If you wanted something done well, and fairly, Mr. Kellem was your guy. His sons, who practiced with him for many years, and his daughter (who escaped the practice of law), lovingly referred to him as “Loophole Larry.”

Services were held at Temple Beth Sholom on Monday, Jan. 16, followed by burial at Hull Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may kindly be made to Temple Beth Sholom, 600 Nantasket Ave., Hull, or the Hull Scholarship Fund, c/o Hingham Institution for Savings, 401 Nantasket Ave.