Name/Title
1996 - CGG Corporal John Kellman (1968-2025) - 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Boxer for the Barbados Olympic TeamScope and Content
1996 - CGG Corporal John Kellman (1968-2025) - 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Boxer ad one of 13 team competition members for the Barbados Olympic Athlete Team and followed a boxing career from 1996-2007. He also participated in the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Corporal John Kellman was born in Bridgetown, Barbados on September 30, 1968, to Maureen Kellman and Alwyn Branch (deceased). He is survived by his partner of 40 years, Trudy Gee; his daughter Jade Fanchette Kellman and grandson, Jayden King Chayer; his sister, Danielle Phillips; his brothers, Mark and Dwayne; other family and many friends. John was raised in Barbados until, at age nine, he visited his mother in Canada along with his aunt Dodi. After visiting La Ronde Amusement Park, John fell in love with Montreal and became a Canadian Citizen.
As a teenager, he took up boxing and joined Ring 83 where he became lifelong friends with the Montreal boxing community. As an amateur boxer, John travelled the world and participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for Barbados. John served in the Canadian Army Reserves (Canadian Grenadier Guards) in 1987 and became qualified in small arms and as a marksman for two and half years (1987-1990) reaching the rank of corporal. His summers were spent with No 2 Company on Parliament Hill.
Since he loved working with people and learning new skills, John became quite adept at many other things including jewelry making and outdoor landscaping. He also loved camping, playing guitar, and listening to blues and rock music. Sadly he passed away one week after suffering a stroke on 30 December 2025. Our memories of John will be treasured, and he will forever be in our hearts.
Olympic Career - 1996 Atlanta Summer Games
Sport: Boxing Featherweight
Team: Barbados
John Kelman was a Barbadian boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1996 Summer Olympics, (which was the same weight category as famous US Boxer Floyd Mayweather who won the bronze medal that year). In a separate bout during that Olympics, after the referee stopped his opening bout against János Nagy of Hungary, Kelman angrily threw one of his gloves and was subsequently banned from amateur boxing for one year. Kelman also represented Barbados at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
January 3, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
January 7, 2026
