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Bruce Campbell Obituary
Bruce Malcolm Campbell of Saint John, New Brunswick died in the early hours of April 3rd, 2024 at the age of 78, with his sister Star at his bedside. He is survived by his siblings Maurice Campbell (Anne), Sheila Goodwin (George), “Star” Stella Parlee (Stephen) and Colin Campbell, as well as a large group of nieces and nephews. In 1969, Bruce began teaching French and Spanish at Saint John High School (from which he had graduated in 1963). He retired from SJHS in 2001 as the Head of the French and Spanish Departments. He lived the last six years of his life in the Parkland Saint John retirement home in Saint John after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2018. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Lily Court, Tucker Hall for their unceasing and compassionate care for Bruce during the final years of his life. He was blessed to have been considered a part of your family.
Bruce was born on July 9th, 1945 in Kingston, England, and soon found his way to post-war Canada with his parents, Stella (a UK native) and Sam (a Canadian soldier posted in England during WW2). Bruce grew up in Saint John. Following his undergraduate studies at Mount Allison University, he later attended Middlebury College in Vermont before becoming a French teacher at Saint John High School.
During his teaching career, he also studied in France at the Université de Dijon, the Université de Provence and the Université de Marseille. In addition to his teaching work at SJHS, he also helped to manage the school hockey team and several other student groups. For over 30 years, Bruce’s students were his entire focus: he was determined to ensure that as many as possible finished high school to set them up for life. Many of his students knew him simply as ‘Soupy,’ and would greet him as such (often with a shout and a wave) whenever they crossed paths around town. This practice of his being greeted by ex-students – some well into middle age – continued until shortly before his death. To other family members, it often felt as if they were in the company of a local celebrity.
Following the death of his father in 1981, as the eldest son Bruce became the unofficial head of the Campbell family. He spent countless weekends researching family history, worshipped every Sunday at The Church of Saint Andrew and Saint David (United), helped start the first food bank in Saint John, the Community Food basket, volunteered for the New Democratic Party and was past President of the local Kiwanis Club, St. Andrew’s Society and Royal Canadian Legion branch. He was particularly proud of serving on the Board of Somerset Preschool, which his mother helped found in 1972 and on whose Board his sister Star now serves.
In addition to an unshakeable belief in public service, social justice and the importance of community, Bruce was passionate about education, literature, music and travel. He had a real affinity for Europe after spending his formative years studying in France. He enjoyed regular trips to the United Kingdom and France, and had a special place in his heart for Spain. He and his youngest sister Star enjoyed his last international jaunt together in 2019, traveling to Scotland to visit their ancestral home and relatives.
In retirement, Bruce continued to indulge his passions for community and meeting people by leading historical tours of Saint John for cruise ship passengers. In addition to staying close to siblings in Saint John and Toronto, Bruce enjoyed close relationships with many nieces and nephews, keeping tabs on them as they grew older, encouraging them in their educational pursuits, staying in regular contact through phone calls and emails, and via meals at his favourite Saint John restaurants with the ones from afar whenever they were in town. He also kept in touch with cousins in the Saint John Area, United Kingdom, Lincoln, Maugerville, Stanley in New Brunswick, Massachusetts, USA and Scotland.
Bruce Campbell was a walker and a runner. He was a good man who cared deeply for his community and his family, and was loved dearly by his family and friends in return. Bruce’s death creates a void that can’t be filled, but the impact of his life on his community is his legacy. He will be dearly missed by his many loved ones. May his memory be a blessing.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmoreland Road, Saint John, NB (506-646-2424). Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held at Portland United Church, 50 Newport Crescent, Saint John, NB. on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at 11:00 am. Livestreaming details will be updated. For those who wish to make a memorial donation in Bruce’s memory, please consider Somerset Preschool. For online condolences please visit Fundy Funeral Home, www.fundyfuneralhome.com/listings.
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July 9 1945 April 3 2024 78 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
death notice Bruce Malcolm Campbell July 9 1945 April 3 2024 78 Years Old
obituaries notice Bruce Malcolm Campbell July 9 1945 April 3 2024 78 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bruce Malcolm Campbell July 9 1945 April 3 2024 78 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.