At times homeless himself, Al Kelley helped others on London's streets

Robert Clem won't forget the first time he met Al Kelley at the Ark Aid Mission, a homeless shelter in downtown London.

It was winter 2023 and Clem was trying to shake the grip of a fierce opioid addiction that left him bed-ridden and wracked with withdrawal sickness.

"That man helped save me," said Clem about Kelley. "I'd lay down in my bed and every few minutes ... he'd be feeding me oranges and juice. I couldn't get things for myself. As I got better, he would walk me around and show me places where I could go and eat."

Clem, who said he lives drug free today, was one of about 50 people who gathered at St. Peter's Cemetery in north London on Tuesday to say goodbye, and thank you, to Al Kelley.

Kelley died suddenly on May 24. He was rushed to hospital with symptoms of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome but did not recover. He was 64 years old.

A life-long Londoner, he was remembered as a well-loved member of London's downtown street community. Many said they will remember Kelley as a man who experienced homelessness himself and took time to help others in a similar situation.

At the time of his death, Kelley was living in a downtown shelter. He was also a regular volunteer with 519 Pursuit, a non-profit group that delivers meals and provides outreach support to people who sleep outside.

"Without people like him in my life, I would still be out there on the street," said Clem.

Gary Springman volunteered with Kelley at 519 Pursuit and said he'll miss having Kelley at his side delivering boxed meals to people who live in wooded areas, back lots and alleyways in London.

"He was a fixture," said Springman. "Walking around with him was like a history lesson. He was a really awesome dude.

"He would distribute lunches and sometimes would go without food himself when he saw somebody who he thought needed it more. That's the type of person that he was. He had a lot of empathy the people on the street."

Marc Henderson got to know Al Kelley while working for London Cares homeless response services.

"He was truly the kind of man that would have given you the shirt off his back, even if it was the only shirt he had," said Henderson.

Kelley went from being homeless on and off to helping others in the same predicament. Henderson, who has a personal history with addiction and recovery, said there's a reason so many have travelled a similar path.

"We have a responsibility to give back what was so freely given to us," he said. "When we find our sobriety, we want to find a way to help others in a similar circumstance. It's more common than you think."

Toward the end of the service, mourners were asked to put items into a box for Kelley.

Henderson didn't hesitate to pull a pack of cigarettes from his breast pocket and drop one in for Kelley.

"Al had a tendency to ask me for cigarettes," said Henderson. "One of my coworkers came up to me and asked me if I had a cigarette, and of course I was more than happy to oblige. As I was in his life, I'm happy to pass one on to him in his rest."