Obituary of John Archibald 'Johnny' Campbell, New Waterford

We, the family of John Archibald 'Johnny' Campbell, are deeply saddened to announce his passing on March 13, 2023, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, after a brief battle with cancer. John was born in New Waterford on December 15, 1945, to the late Colin Andrew Campbell and Nellie Mae (Hawley) Campbell.

John grew up in New Waterford, in a large and loving family. In his youth he spent many happy summers on his uncle Angus’s farm in Brook Village. He also helped his father and uncle train racehorses and was involved in the racing community for a number of years. John married his loving wife and high school sweetheart Patricia Roach Campbell in 1967. They spent 55 wonderful years of marriage together. 

John was a carpenter by trade; a proud and active member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 1588.  During his career he worked on many major construction projects all over Cape Breton. He was admired and respected for his skill and his work ethic. John was a faithful member of Mount Carmel Parish, now the Parish Church of St. Leonard. For many years of retirement, he and Tish were members of the church funeral choir, and he rang the church bell for mass for many years. During his life he had a great respect for animals and nature and could often be found walking one of his beloved Airedales around town.   

He had many hobbies including duck carving, playing snooker, playing guitar, gardening and in more recent years following his eight beloved grandchildren’s sports and performances. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his family playing Tarabish at the pool or travelling to Chéticamp for visits. He was a wonderful family man, fiercely loyal and a true friend to many.

John is survived by his loving wife Patricia, and his son Colin, wife Susan and their children, Will, Alec and Elizabeth; son Erin, wife Tanya and their children Molly, Jane, and Evan; and daughter Lindsay, husband Jeannot Chiasson and their children Trent and Rachel.  Also surviving are John’s siblings, Colleen (Joe, deceased) Piccolo, Kay (Jimmy) Hogan, Brian (Theresa), Anne (Cyril) Boudreau, Nellie (Jeff, deceased) Chung, Charles (Florence), Michael (Lynnann), Colin (Michelle), Patsy (Brian) MacSween, Bradley (Linda), his sisters-in-law, Mary Campbell, and Sheila Campbell as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John is also survived by his sisters-in-law Eileen (Geoff) Jarrett, Linda Roach (Reg), Barbara Roach (Bernie) and brother-in-law Russell (Sharon) Roach. 

Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother Angus and sister Theresa Macdonald, and his brothers-in-law Joe Piccolo, Jeff Chung, and Clive Macdonald as well as his in-laws Hubert and Hughena Roach.

Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. Funeral Mass will be held at the Parish Church or St. Leonard on Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford, Saturday March 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. with Father Godwin Obike officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a reception to follow at Knights of Columbus Hall on Plummer Avenue in New Waterford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, New Waterford or a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.