Howard Campbell: RIP

Obit in the Citizen, April 5, 2014.

Howard Edward Campbell

Howard Edward Campbell December 28, 1920 - March 28, 2014 Passed away peacefully on the morning of March 28, 2014 with Marilyn, his loving wife of over 30 years, by his side. His easy smile, his optimism, his joy in friends and family, his vibrant sense of humor and his warmth and generosity will be missed by those who knew him, spread across many continents.

Howard was born on December 28, 1920, in Nelson, B.C., from where he landed hockey and lacrosse scholarships from UCLA. There he met his future wife, Jean Joy Irving, before his studies were interrupted by his volunteer service as a navigator in the RCAF 405 Pathfinder Squadron in Bomber Command with his pilot friend Tom Dailey. Returning to Canada, Howard married Jean, completed his studies at McGill and joined the foreign service as a trade commissioner in 1947. He served with distinction for over 38 years in New York, S. Africa, Jamaica, Germany, Switzerland, Philadelphia, New Zealand and Costa Rica, before retiring to Almonte, Ontario. 

Howard was predeceased by Jean, loving mother of their seven children, as well as his siblings Helen Dorothy and Harvey Kenneth. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his children Kim (Letycia), Howard (Wendy), Rory (Carol), Cherie, Gina (Roger), Casey (Jenny), Patrick, stepchildren Kimberly (Richard) and Kevin, grandchildren Douglas (Heather), Daniel (Emina), David (Marie-Laurence), Kate, Arlin and Val, and newly arrived and cherished great-granddaughter Nathalie. 

Howard's life will be celebrated at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Almonte General Hospital or The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, to whom the family is grateful for exceptional care provided. Veterans' Affairs' valued support is also acknowledged. Howard's spirit lives on.