The Blue Ridge School community is saddened to learn that the Rev. John Michael Kettlewell passed away on October 23, 2019, at his home in Schuylerville, New York. He served as chaplain at Blue Ridge School from 1965 until his retirement in 1991. He was a lifelong Episcopal priest, educator, and lover of the outdoors.

Rev. Kettlewell was a graduate Harvard University and New York City’s General Theological Seminary. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1955. He served as the assistant rector of Bethesda Church in Saratoga Springs from 1957-1960 and as the rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois, from 1960-1965 before joining the faculty of the Blue Ridge School in 1965 as school chaplain and English teacher. During his tenure he was also English department chair, dean of the faculty, director of the summer school, and college counselor.

He earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and served as the rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Stanardsville, Virginia. Following his retirement from Blue Ridge School in 1991, he moved to Schuylerville, NY, where he served as the rector of St. Stephens Episcopal Church from 1991-2016 and as a head teacher for the Adirondack School of Northeastern New York from 1996-2013.

Headmaster Trip Darrin says, “John had an infectious spirit of adventure and a deep devotion to his faith. His love of the outdoors and education made him an outstanding mentor to decades of Blue Ridge students. He will be missed, but his legacy will long be felt on this campus and in the lives of the many alumni he served.”

During the graduation ceremony of 1991, English Teacher John Young recalled Mr. Kettlewell’s enthusiasm for his students, his creative theatrical performances, his outdoor adventures, and his time spent with students and friends. “But most of all,” added Mr. Young. “John Kettlewell sought to teach us how to live the best possible life—the life of gentle, Christian love.”

His obituary and details of his service are available here.