by Rachel Hunter
The North Country community is coming together to support Fowler native Jon Kelley, a former Town of Fowler employee, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a fuel truck explosion and fire, which occurred mid-October in the Town of Fowler.
Jon Kelley was working on the fuel truck when it exploded on Oct. 18 at Tripp Fuels on County Route 22 in Fowler. He was blown off it. After the blast, Kelley’s childhood friend, Bradley Blackburn, two Ft. Drum soldiers rushed to action to help the wounded man. He was flown to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, and has been hospitalized for nearly one month.
The Town of Fowler Council at its Nov. 7 meeting approved for letters of recognition to be sent to Town of Fowler resident Bradley Blackburn, to the Commander of the 10th Mountain Division Major General Gregory Anderson recognizing the valor of two 10th Mountain Division soldiers Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Hayes and Pfc. Jacob V. Lundermo for their heroic actions on October 18, 2022.
Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine read the letters as follows:
“To Commander of the 10th Mountain Division Major General Gregory Anderson: On October 18, 2022, two 10th Mountain Division soldiers – Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Hayes and Pfc Jacob V. Lundermo – showed the people of the Town of Fowler what a great asset Fort Drum is to the North Country. An explosion of a fuel truck at Tripp Fuels caused serious injuries to Jon Kelley, a Fowler resident and employee of the fuel depot. The actions of these two veterans and a neighbor Brad Blackburn kept this incident from becoming a full-blown disaster. Their military training showed immediately. With no concern for their own safety, they led people from the adjacent restaurant to safety and directed any potential threat of subsequent explosion to a safe distance from the incident area. They then proceeded to administer care to the victim until healthcare professionals arrived. There is no doubt in the minds of this town board or anyone that was there that these three prevented any ensuing damage or physical harm by their heroic efforts. We, the Town Board of Fowler, will at our next meeting recognize the valor of these individuals and hope the Department of the Army will do the same for these two exemplary soldiers.” The letter was signed by all Fowler Town Council members.
Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine then read the following letter for Town of Fowler resident Bradley Blackburn: “The Fowler Town Board would like to officially recognize and thank you for your actions on October 18, 2022 at Tripp Fuels. Your calm and professional reaction to this unfortunate accident kept the effects of the explosion and aftermath to a minimum. Jon Kelley’s injuries while very serious, could have been much worse, and many others could have also been hurt. When life deals us these unexpected circumstances, like it did on October 18, we all hope that we can be that guy who steps up and becomes a hero. Thank you for being that guy.” The letter was signed by all Fowler Town Council members.
The Town of Fowler Council unanimously approved to send the letters. The motion was made by Town Councilman Scott Cleveland, seconded by Town Councilman Lynn Bishop, and approved by all town councilpersons present.
Later in the meeting, Town of Fowler Deputy Supervisor Karen Simmons reported that she had talked with Jon Kelley’s wife, Natalie, who said that they are hoping Jon will return home on Nov. 17.
“She said it is going to be a long road,” Deputy Supervisor Simmons said. “He is going to have to have a lot of rehabilitation, a lot of physical therapy. He’s had a hip replacement, he had a rod put in from his hip to his knee, and he had a broken heel, and a lot of skin grafting. She said that he’s been very positive throughout the whole process. The people at the hospital just can’t believe how upbeat he is and everything for what he went through. But she said that they are hoping he will be able to come home on Nov. 17…”
The Town of Fowler has placed donation jugs at the Fowler Town Hall, Tripp Fuels in Fowler, and Newvine’s NAPA Auto Parts in Gouverneur in order to help the Kelley family “with the untimely loss of income.”
A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 19, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, located at 1419 US Highway 11, Gouverneur. Dinners will be available via takeout or free delivery. Volunteer drivers will be available to bring the meals to Gouverneur, Hailesboro, Fowler, Harrisville, with more communities being added as word spreads about the benefit event. The dinner costs $12 per meal, and includes spaghetti, tossed salad, roll and dessert. All funds raised will benefit Jon Kelley as he recovers from the work-related injury. All North Country residents are encouraged to RSVP by calling or texting Melissa Woodward, event organizer, at 315-355-1440.
“There is a saying “Fowler kids stick together.” My parents were Fowler kids and so was Jon. I have known Jon since I was born, he was my neighbor and I grew up with his two boys. My husband considers his son Dustin one of his best friend’s so our families have always remained close,” Mrs. Woodward said. “Jon has always been a “pick up the phone and call when you need me” type of guy. When I heard of his accident I knew that Jon needed all of his “Fowler kids” to stick together and give to him the way he’s always gave to us. A little way to show Jon just how much we all love him and how we’re all here to support his road to recovery.”
A GoFundMe page has also been established to assist Jon Kelley and his family with medical and travel expenses. As of press time this week, a total of 19 donations had been submitted, totaling $3,300.
Jon Kelley is known in the Fowler community for his willingness to give the shirt off his back for a community member in need – and now the North Country community has the opportunity to show their big heart for one of their own through several local benefits. More information on these upcoming events will be reported as further details cross the Tribune news desk.