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Gregory Kelley

1961 U.S. men's silver medalist

Gregory ("Greg") Eric Kelley, 16, hoped to follow in the footsteps of Hayes Jankins and David Jenkins, and become coach Edi Scholdan's third Olympic champion, in 1964. The youngest of Dr. Vincent and Nathalie Kelley's six children, he grew up in Newton, Mass. Kelley began skating at age 8 when his Catholic school class attended a learn-to-skate program at the Skating Club of Boston. He joined the club and trained with Montgomery ("Bud") Wilson. At the Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships, he won the men's title at every level, and in his first trip to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships he won the 1957 novice men's title in Berkeley, Calif. He had never lost a championship event until the 1958 U.S. junior men's competition, where he placed second. Greg's eldest sister, Nathalie Frances Kelley, was Greg's chauffer and support system, traveling with him to competitions and to Michigan State University in East Lansing for summer training. After he won the 1959 U.S. junior men's title, Kelley moved to Colorado Springs to train with Edi Scholdan at the Broadmoor. Nathalie moved with him and became his personal tutor. Kelley placed fifth at the 1960 U.S. Championships, second at the 1961 U.S. Championships and won the bronze medal at the 1961 North American Figure Skating. A brilliant student, Kelley had plans to become a doctor like his father.

Bio written by Patricia Shelley Bushman, author of Indelible Tracings.