Kevin Campbell
1955-2020
With tremendous grief and sadness, the family of Kevin Lionel
Campbell of New Glasgow announces his passing at the age of 65 on Dec.
22, 2020.
Born in New Glasgow, NS on May 18, 1955, Kevin was the middle
child to the late Lionel and Kathleen (MacDonald)
Campbell.
From an early age, Kevin was an avid and talented hockey
player, known best for his smooth skating style and calm under
pressure demeanor (which he also displayed in life).
Excelling locally with the 1st travelling Bantam team, the New Glasgow
High School Hockey team and the New Glasgow Bombers Junior B team, he
then moved on to St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York on a
scholarship where he completed his B.A. with a major in Economics.
Kevin also served as Captain of the University hockey team.
Academics were his priority and doing so in combination with
University hockey was his aspiration. In 1975, Kevin was
drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 96th overall in the NHL Amateur
Draft. He was also drafted 45th overall by the Houston Aeros of the
WHA in the same year. Choosing to join the Leafs organization, Kevin
went on to play in the Central Hockey League for the Dallas Blackhawks
and the Tulsa Oilers between 1976 and 1978, before injury cut his
career short. Following his move back home to New Glasgow,
Kevin began his career with Scotsburn Dairy Group in 1982 and worked
his way up in the company to the role of Area Manager. He
remained in this position until the Milk Division of the business was
sold to Saputo in 2014, where he continued to work until
2017. Kevin was known in the community for so many reasons,
the above mentioned of course, but also for his volunteer work on
several community boards over the years. Even more
importantly to those who knew him, he was loved and respected simply
due to the kind of person he was and the way he took care of those
around him. Kevin loved the times he spent with Jane,
whether it be at home working on projects, at the Lake, on the golf
course, taking Ball Room dance lessons or on the occasional vacation
that Jane convinced him he deserved. Kevin was a phenomenal
father to his daughter, Kaitlin, always supporting her in all
endeavours. He was her biggest cheerleader, defender and
fan. The love he had for his daughter was rivaled only by
that for his two grandsons, Jax and Oliver. They could do no
wrong in Grampy’s eyes, and he made sure to let that fact be
known! During Oli’s battle with Cancer, Kevin
would often drive to the IWK at the end of a long work day, just to
visit and bring fries or another treat. These visits helped brighten
our days in hospital. It was also rare for Kevin to miss a
game of Jax’s whether it be hockey or baseball and although
this past year was very difficult, Kevin was able to make sure to
spend quality time with Jax outside mowing lawns. They both
described this time together as some of the best they’ve
ever had!
By nature, Kevin looked after others before even thinking
about himself. Those of us left behind are forever grateful
to have been loved by him. He will be missed more than words can
express.
Kevin is survived by his daughter, Kaitlin Graham (Drew);
grandson, Jax Graham; his partner of 17 years, Jane Cameron and her
sons Ian and Evan; sister, Marilyn Mitchell (Robert); niece and
nephew, Rebecca Mitchell Lanthier (Jeff) and Jonathan Mitchell
(Emily); grandniece, Gemma Kathleen; cousin, Carolyn MacConnell (Mel);
honorary daughters, Shelley MacConnell Vail (Gord) and Robyn Burrows
(Jeff), and their children, Morgan, Abby, Thomas, Carly, Jenna, Miah
and Jorja, all of whom Kevin adored.
Kevin was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Alex
“The Barber” and Florence MacDonald, paternal
grandparents, Hugh and Catherine (Kate) Campbell, father Lionel,
mother Kathleen, brother Brian and grandson, Oliver
Graham.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation and funeral
arrangements will be announced at a later date. Arrangements
will be under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont
Avenue, New Glasgow, NS. Donations in his memory may be made to the
IWK Health Centre Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1133
Tower Road, Halifax NS, B3H 2Y7 or the Aberdeen Palliative Care
Society.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kevin Campbell 19552020..
Death notice for the town of: New-Glasgow, Province: Nova Scotia
Dear Jane and family
My mother, Mildred Whidden, and I want to express our sincere condolences on the death of Kevin. What a shock to read about his sudden passing. . We will be praying for your peace and consolation.
Sincerely
Glenda and Leo Lamey