With great sadness, the family of Lionel Campbell announces his passing on February 19, 2020 at the age of 84 from pancreatic cancer, which he courageously battled with everything he had.
He will be lovingly remembered as a devoted husband by Vivienne (née Barré), his wife of 55 years; as a protecting and selfless father by sons Barre, Darren (Erin Pepper) and Sean and daughters Danna (Paul Howes) and Melanie (Kevin Priddle). He was a loving grandfather to Connor, Emma, Douglas, Hugh, Jillian, Alannah, Madeleine, Ava, Benjamin, Olivia and Charlie, and was a respected and cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews. Lionel will also be greatly missed by many friends wherever he lived and worked across Canada, including his good companions at the Ray Friel Centre gym in Orléans.
He is predeceased by his parents Grant and Hilda (McPhee), sisters Elizabeth "Betty" Nearing (the late Louis), Mary Morrison (Connie) and Maureen Anthony (the late Reg), and brother Kevin (Fran).
A proud Cape Bretoner, born in New Waterford and a longtime resident of Plummer Avenue, Lionel worked in the coal mines and also studied at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish before training at RCMP Depot in Regina to become a Mountie in 1962. He was posted to rural Manitoba and the communities of Virden and Melita, before transfers to Winnipeg, Fredericton and Ottawa, where he retired in 1994.
Lionel was a fan of harness racing and served as the paddock judge at Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa for several years following his retirement. He loved other sports and was a supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Canadiens, Green Bay Packers, Montreal Expos and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
He served as a choir member at Divine Infant Parish in Orléans, which included a highlight trip in 1995 to the Vatican, where the choir had the honour of singing a High Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Visitation will take place in Ottawa in the Sacred Space of Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services on Friday, February 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. A time of prayer will follow.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 29 at 1 p.m. at St. Clement Parish, 528 Old St. Patrick St. Interment will follow at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood, followed by a reception in the Beechwood National Memorial Centre.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in New Waterford, N.S., or to Pancreatic Cancer Canada.
Digital Guestbook
Jerry Wolsey and Chris Walsh
Kathy and Peter LeBlanc
Dear Vivienne and family:
We are so very saddened to hear this news. We have such wonderful memories of all of you as neighbours and great friends in Fredericton. Peter is forever indebted to Kuonel for encouraging him to rejoin the RCMP. We often speak of the great day they spent cycling together to celebrate Lionel’s 50th birthday. Melissa still speaks of her friendship with Melanie.
We hold you in our thoughts and prayers, love Kathy and Peter
test
test
Melanie, Kevin and family, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad Lionel. Although we never met we do know that the Campbell's are a close and loving family and that he will be greatly missed by all of you. Our deepest sympathies.