Kevin Joseph Lindsey, 64, a man known for his generous spirit and constant
willingness to help others, and especially for his deep love for his daughter Michaela, died early
in the morning February 9 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. His ex-wife and best
friend Rachel Simpson was with him. Kevin courageously fought several cancers over the last
year.
One of 7 siblings in a close-knit Irish family, Kevin's home was filled with love. His life was
difficult, but Kevin was a real survivor. He struggled with the disease of alcoholism and had
been sober for more than a total of 20 of the last 29 years, with two 10 and ½ year periods in
recovery. He was sober when he died. Kevin was a true miracle and power of example. He may
have seemed tough on the outside, but he was a real softie on the inside.
Born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester Oct. 8, 1957, he was the son of the late Kathleen
(Connell) and James L. Lindsey Sr.
He grew up in the Bronx and in Worcester and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 18.
He worked as a cook on an aircraft carrier and would later tell his then-wife that the way to make
scrambled eggs for a ship full of sailors was to blend hundreds of eggs in a giant mixer, shells
and all, pulverizing the shells enough, before frying them up. He was honorably discharged, and
worked for a time in his brother Jim's cleaning business. He also drove tractor trailer trucks as a
young man.
Kevin moved to Western Massachusetts more than 30 years ago and first worked at the
Veterans Administration Medical Center. He then learned the craft of perfectly sanding and
finishing wood floors under the guidance of a true master, Don Dion, who was like a father to
him. Kevin worked for Dion Floors for many years, and later worked for Bill Podolak and for
Duggan Floor Sanding. He was a perfectionist about hardwood floors and knew everything
about their care. If Kevin was sanding and finishing your floor, you knew it was going to be
supremely well done.
He shared his experience, strength and hope with the hundreds of men who came through the
doors at the Hairston House in Northampton, a recovery home where he worked for many
years. Kevin was known for being a stickler for rules but also, thanks to his own experience, had
a deep understanding of people's suffering and how he could help them. No matter where he
was, Kevin was always willing to extend a hand, sometimes driving as far as Worcester to take
someone to detox, driving those in need to shelters or grocery stores, giving away clothes to
someone who had nothing, or handing his last few dollars so a friend could eat. He cared very
deeply about people; his willingness to help was remarkable and he typically put the needs of
others before his own.
He was a great cook – his home fries were legendary – and he loved making food for other
people, whether it was a small group, or everybody at the Hairston House. (When he made
eggs for family and friends he made sure to crack them and discard the shells.) He had cooked
delicious Thanksgiving meals for his roommates on Summer Street for most of the last 10 years.
A devoted fan of baseball, and of the Boston Red Sox in particular, his favorite player of all time
was the great Carl Yazstrzemski, who he was lucky enough to see at Fenway.
Kevin loved music, especially the Beatles, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Eric
Clapton. He had an encyclopedic memory for songs that went back more than 50 years and
could "name that tune" and performer in 4 notes or less.
He married Rachel Simpson in 1997. He taught her, among other things, how not to throw a
softball "like a girl." They had a daughter, Michaela, the day after Kevin's 41st birthday in 1998.
Michaela was the greatest joy of his life and he loved her more than anything.
Rachel and Kevin divorced but remained steadfast and close friends throughout his life.
Kevin had a deep and abiding commitment to God and Jesus Christ, and a strong belief that God
carried him in the palm of his hand and would take care of him after his death. His consistent,
intense faith was all the more remarkable considering how frequently his life was touched by
tragedy and trauma. His favorite place to pray and meditate was by the Mill River at the back of
Maines Field in Northampton.
Besides Michaela, of New York City, and Rachel, of Northampton, he leaves a sister, Patricia
Cote of Douglas, MA; a brother, Brian Lindsey of Warren, R.I., his aunt, Sheila Conrad
of Fishkill, NY, his uncle Paul Nelson, of Leicester, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Three
brothers, Michael, James, and Dennis, and his sister, Noreen, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday Feb. 19 at noon at the Czelusniak Funeral Home in
Northampton, preceded by calling hours from 10am-12pm. Masks are required.
Burial with military honors will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence, close to where he lived
when Michaela was born.
The family is grateful to Dr. Lois Albury at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Dr. Alys Malcolm, formerly
of the Mass General Center Center in Northampton, and all those who helped him there, and
most especially to those at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, who cared for him so beautifully in
his last few days.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1115 North Pleasant St.,
Amherst, MA, 01002, or to Central Hampshire Veterans Services, 240 Main St., Northampton,
MA to help area veterans who need food or shelter.
willingness to help others, and especially for his deep love for his daughter Michaela, died early
in the morning February 9 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. His ex-wife and best
friend Rachel Simpson was with him. Kevin courageously fought several cancers over the last
year.
One of 7 siblings in a close-knit Irish family, Kevin's home was filled with love. His life was
difficult, but Kevin was a real survivor. He struggled with the disease of alcoholism and had
been sober for more than a total of 20 of the last 29 years, with two 10 and ½ year periods in
recovery. He was sober when he died. Kevin was a true miracle and power of example. He may
have seemed tough on the outside, but he was a real softie on the inside.
Born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester Oct. 8, 1957, he was the son of the late Kathleen
(Connell) and James L. Lindsey Sr.
He grew up in the Bronx and in Worcester and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 18.
He worked as a cook on an aircraft carrier and would later tell his then-wife that the way to make
scrambled eggs for a ship full of sailors was to blend hundreds of eggs in a giant mixer, shells
and all, pulverizing the shells enough, before frying them up. He was honorably discharged, and
worked for a time in his brother Jim's cleaning business. He also drove tractor trailer trucks as a
young man.
Kevin moved to Western Massachusetts more than 30 years ago and first worked at the
Veterans Administration Medical Center. He then learned the craft of perfectly sanding and
finishing wood floors under the guidance of a true master, Don Dion, who was like a father to
him. Kevin worked for Dion Floors for many years, and later worked for Bill Podolak and for
Duggan Floor Sanding. He was a perfectionist about hardwood floors and knew everything
about their care. If Kevin was sanding and finishing your floor, you knew it was going to be
supremely well done.
He shared his experience, strength and hope with the hundreds of men who came through the
doors at the Hairston House in Northampton, a recovery home where he worked for many
years. Kevin was known for being a stickler for rules but also, thanks to his own experience, had
a deep understanding of people's suffering and how he could help them. No matter where he
was, Kevin was always willing to extend a hand, sometimes driving as far as Worcester to take
someone to detox, driving those in need to shelters or grocery stores, giving away clothes to
someone who had nothing, or handing his last few dollars so a friend could eat. He cared very
deeply about people; his willingness to help was remarkable and he typically put the needs of
others before his own.
He was a great cook – his home fries were legendary – and he loved making food for other
people, whether it was a small group, or everybody at the Hairston House. (When he made
eggs for family and friends he made sure to crack them and discard the shells.) He had cooked
delicious Thanksgiving meals for his roommates on Summer Street for most of the last 10 years.
A devoted fan of baseball, and of the Boston Red Sox in particular, his favorite player of all time
was the great Carl Yazstrzemski, who he was lucky enough to see at Fenway.
Kevin loved music, especially the Beatles, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Eric
Clapton. He had an encyclopedic memory for songs that went back more than 50 years and
could "name that tune" and performer in 4 notes or less.
He married Rachel Simpson in 1997. He taught her, among other things, how not to throw a
softball "like a girl." They had a daughter, Michaela, the day after Kevin's 41st birthday in 1998.
Michaela was the greatest joy of his life and he loved her more than anything.
Rachel and Kevin divorced but remained steadfast and close friends throughout his life.
Kevin had a deep and abiding commitment to God and Jesus Christ, and a strong belief that God
carried him in the palm of his hand and would take care of him after his death. His consistent,
intense faith was all the more remarkable considering how frequently his life was touched by
tragedy and trauma. His favorite place to pray and meditate was by the Mill River at the back of
Maines Field in Northampton.
Besides Michaela, of New York City, and Rachel, of Northampton, he leaves a sister, Patricia
Cote of Douglas, MA; a brother, Brian Lindsey of Warren, R.I., his aunt, Sheila Conrad
of Fishkill, NY, his uncle Paul Nelson, of Leicester, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Three
brothers, Michael, James, and Dennis, and his sister, Noreen, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday Feb. 19 at noon at the Czelusniak Funeral Home in
Northampton, preceded by calling hours from 10am-12pm. Masks are required.
Burial with military honors will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence, close to where he lived
when Michaela was born.
The family is grateful to Dr. Lois Albury at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Dr. Alys Malcolm, formerly
of the Mass General Center Center in Northampton, and all those who helped him there, and
most especially to those at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, who cared for him so beautifully in
his last few days.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1115 North Pleasant St.,
Amherst, MA, 01002, or to Central Hampshire Veterans Services, 240 Main St., Northampton,
MA to help area veterans who need food or shelter.
Kevin Joseph Lindsey, 64, a man known for his generous spirit and constant
willingness to help others, and especially for his deep love for his daughter Michaela, died early
in the morning February 9 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. His ex-wife and best
friend Rachel Simpson was with him. Kevin courageously fought several cancers over the last
year.
One of 7 siblings in a close-knit Irish family, Kevin's home was filled with love. His life was
difficult, but Kevin was a real survivor. He struggled with the disease of alcoholism and had
been sober for more than a total of 20 of the last 29 years, with two 10 and ½ year periods in
recovery. He was sober when he died. Kevin was a true miracle and power of example. He may
have seemed tough on the outside, but he was a real softie on the inside.
Born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester Oct. 8, 1957, he was the son of the late Kathleen
(Connell) and James L. Lindsey Sr.
He grew up in the Bronx and in Worcester and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 18.
He worked as a cook on an aircraft carrier and would later tell his then-wife that the way to make
scrambled eggs for a ship full of sailors was to blend hundreds of eggs in a giant mixer, shells
and all, pulverizing the shells enough, before frying them up. He was honorably discharged, and
worked for a time in his brother Jim's cleaning business. He also drove tractor trailer trucks as a
young man.
Kevin moved to Western Massachusetts more than 30 years ago and first worked at the
Veterans Administration Medical Center. He then learned the craft of perfectly sanding and
finishing wood floors under the guidance of a true master, Don Dion, who was like a father to
him. Kevin worked for Dion Floors for many years, and later worked for Bill Podolak and for
Duggan Floor Sanding. He was a perfectionist about hardwood floors and knew everything
about their care. If Kevin was sanding and finishing your floor, you knew it was going to be
supremely well done.
He shared his experience, strength and hope with the hundreds of men who came through the
doors at the Hairston House in Northampton, a recovery home where he worked for many
years. Kevin was known for being a stickler for rules but also, thanks to his own experience, had
a deep understanding of people's suffering and how he could help them. No matter where he
was, Kevin was always willing to extend a hand, sometimes driving as far as Worcester to take
someone to detox, driving those in need to shelters or grocery stores, giving away clothes to
someone who had nothing, or handing his last few dollars so a friend could eat. He cared very
deeply about people; his willingness to help was remarkable and he typically put the needs of
others before his own.
He was a great cook – his home fries were legendary – and he loved making food for other
people, whether it was a small group, or everybody at the Hairston House. (When he made
eggs for family and friends he made sure to crack them and discard the shells.) He had cooked
delicious Thanksgiving meals for his roommates on Summer Street for most of the last 10 years.
A devoted fan of baseball, and of the Boston Red Sox in particular, his favorite player of all time
was the great Carl Yazstrzemski, who he was lucky enough to see at Fenway.
Kevin loved music, especially the Beatles, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Eric
Clapton. He had an encyclopedic memory for songs that went back more than 50 years and
could "name that tune" and performer in 4 notes or less.
He married Rachel Simpson in 1997. He taught her, among other things, how not to throw a
softball "like a girl." They had a daughter, Michaela, the day after Kevin's 41st birthday in 1998.
Michaela was the greatest joy of his life and he loved her more than anything.
Rachel and Kevin divorced but remained steadfast and close friends throughout his life.
Kevin had a deep and abiding commitment to God and Jesus Christ, and a strong belief that God
carried him in the palm of his hand and would take care of him after his death. His consistent,
intense faith was all the more remarkable considering how frequently his life was touched by
tragedy and trauma. His favorite place to pray and meditate was by the Mill River at the back of
Maines Field in Northampton.
Besides Michaela, of New York City, and Rachel, of Northampton, he leaves a sister, Patricia
Cote of Douglas, MA; a brother, Brian Lindsey of Warren, R.I., his aunt, Sheila Conrad
of Fishkill, NY, his uncle Paul Nelson, of Leicester, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Three
brothers, Michael, James, and Dennis, and his sister, Noreen, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday Feb. 19 at noon at the Czelusniak Funeral Home in
Northampton, preceded by calling hours from 10am-12pm. Masks are required.
Burial with military honors will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence, close to where he lived
when Michaela was born.
The family is grateful to Dr. Lois Albury at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Dr. Alys Malcolm, formerly
of the Mass General Center Center in Northampton, and all those who helped him there, and
most especially to those at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, who cared for him so beautifully in
his last few days.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1115 North Pleasant St.,
Amherst, MA, 01002, or to Central Hampshire Veterans Services, 240 Main St., Northampton,
MA to help area veterans who need food or shelter.
willingness to help others, and especially for his deep love for his daughter Michaela, died early
in the morning February 9 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. His ex-wife and best
friend Rachel Simpson was with him. Kevin courageously fought several cancers over the last
year.
One of 7 siblings in a close-knit Irish family, Kevin's home was filled with love. His life was
difficult, but Kevin was a real survivor. He struggled with the disease of alcoholism and had
been sober for more than a total of 20 of the last 29 years, with two 10 and ½ year periods in
recovery. He was sober when he died. Kevin was a true miracle and power of example. He may
have seemed tough on the outside, but he was a real softie on the inside.
Born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester Oct. 8, 1957, he was the son of the late Kathleen
(Connell) and James L. Lindsey Sr.
He grew up in the Bronx and in Worcester and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 18.
He worked as a cook on an aircraft carrier and would later tell his then-wife that the way to make
scrambled eggs for a ship full of sailors was to blend hundreds of eggs in a giant mixer, shells
and all, pulverizing the shells enough, before frying them up. He was honorably discharged, and
worked for a time in his brother Jim's cleaning business. He also drove tractor trailer trucks as a
young man.
Kevin moved to Western Massachusetts more than 30 years ago and first worked at the
Veterans Administration Medical Center. He then learned the craft of perfectly sanding and
finishing wood floors under the guidance of a true master, Don Dion, who was like a father to
him. Kevin worked for Dion Floors for many years, and later worked for Bill Podolak and for
Duggan Floor Sanding. He was a perfectionist about hardwood floors and knew everything
about their care. If Kevin was sanding and finishing your floor, you knew it was going to be
supremely well done.
He shared his experience, strength and hope with the hundreds of men who came through the
doors at the Hairston House in Northampton, a recovery home where he worked for many
years. Kevin was known for being a stickler for rules but also, thanks to his own experience, had
a deep understanding of people's suffering and how he could help them. No matter where he
was, Kevin was always willing to extend a hand, sometimes driving as far as Worcester to take
someone to detox, driving those in need to shelters or grocery stores, giving away clothes to
someone who had nothing, or handing his last few dollars so a friend could eat. He cared very
deeply about people; his willingness to help was remarkable and he typically put the needs of
others before his own.
He was a great cook – his home fries were legendary – and he loved making food for other
people, whether it was a small group, or everybody at the Hairston House. (When he made
eggs for family and friends he made sure to crack them and discard the shells.) He had cooked
delicious Thanksgiving meals for his roommates on Summer Street for most of the last 10 years.
A devoted fan of baseball, and of the Boston Red Sox in particular, his favorite player of all time
was the great Carl Yazstrzemski, who he was lucky enough to see at Fenway.
Kevin loved music, especially the Beatles, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Eric
Clapton. He had an encyclopedic memory for songs that went back more than 50 years and
could "name that tune" and performer in 4 notes or less.
He married Rachel Simpson in 1997. He taught her, among other things, how not to throw a
softball "like a girl." They had a daughter, Michaela, the day after Kevin's 41st birthday in 1998.
Michaela was the greatest joy of his life and he loved her more than anything.
Rachel and Kevin divorced but remained steadfast and close friends throughout his life.
Kevin had a deep and abiding commitment to God and Jesus Christ, and a strong belief that God
carried him in the palm of his hand and would take care of him after his death. His consistent,
intense faith was all the more remarkable considering how frequently his life was touched by
tragedy and trauma. His favorite place to pray and meditate was by the Mill River at the back of
Maines Field in Northampton.
Besides Michaela, of New York City, and Rachel, of Northampton, he leaves a sister, Patricia
Cote of Douglas, MA; a brother, Brian Lindsey of Warren, R.I., his aunt, Sheila Conrad
of Fishkill, NY, his uncle Paul Nelson, of Leicester, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Three
brothers, Michael, James, and Dennis, and his sister, Noreen, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday Feb. 19 at noon at the Czelusniak Funeral Home in
Northampton, preceded by calling hours from 10am-12pm. Masks are required.
Burial with military honors will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Florence, close to where he lived
when Michaela was born.
The family is grateful to Dr. Lois Albury at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Dr. Alys Malcolm, formerly
of the Mass General Center Center in Northampton, and all those who helped him there, and
most especially to those at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, who cared for him so beautifully in
his last few days.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1115 North Pleasant St.,
Amherst, MA, 01002, or to Central Hampshire Veterans Services, 240 Main St., Northampton,
MA to help area veterans who need food or shelter.
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