Obituary of John Anthony Campbell

CAMPBELL, John Anthony, age 75 of Fredericton New Brunswick, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2020 at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB. John was born in Guildford, Surrey, England on April 27, 1945 to the late George and Ellen (Pettifer) Campbell. John and his mother, a war bride, came to Canada in June 1946 after his father had already returned to Canada after serving in World War II. Ellen and John arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax aboard the Queen Mary and reunited with George in Stellarton and later New Glasgow, NS. While growing up in Pictou County, John excelled in hockey, rugby and baseball. John’s early love for sports was likely encouraged by his close connection to his grandfather, "Hockey Jack" Campbell, an original inductee of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and recent inductee to the Pictou County Heritage Sports Hall of Fame. John achieved success playing high school hockey in New Glasgow which led to a tryout contract with the Quebec Citadelles of the Quebec Junior A Hockey League and he then played two seasons with the Saint Mary’s Huskies. John studied economics as an undergraduate at Saint Mary’s University and as a graduate student at Dalhousie University. During this period, he met his wife of 52 years, Judy (Keirstead). John and Judy were married in Saint John, NB on August 24, 1968. After finishing his studies, John and Judy moved with their young family to Ottawa where John began his career with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. As the family grew in Ottawa, John took an opportunity to work as an economist with the New Brunswick provincial government and the family relocated to Fredericton, NB. John held several positions with the New Brunswick government over a 24-year career, retiring in 1998 as the assistant deputy minister of finance. John then spent the next 9 years consulting with governments in the Caribbean and South America and with the New Brunswick Liberal Party before retiring for good in 2007. John’s real passion was his family and he loved following his children, John and Angie, as they participated in sports and activities while growing up in Fredericton. John enjoyed coaching and managing minor hockey and baseball teams at various levels in the Fredericton area. John was also passionate about his beloved black Labrador Retrievers with whom he spent countless hours training, competing in field trials, and hunting at the preserve along Grand Lake that he was a member of. John’s favorite retreat was the Keirstead family cottage on the banks of the Saint John River in Lower Greenwich, NB. John spent as much time as possible at "the cottage" with his family and dogs and was always working away at the many chores that needed to be done. While John experienced a number of health challenges over the past 13 years, he always maintained his zest for life and enjoyed spending time with his family. John is survived by his wife, Judy (Keirstead), Fredericton; sister Kim Campbell- Stacey (Gary), Bournemouth, England: son John (Karen) Halifax; daughter Angela (Richard Kraan) Ottawa; grandchildren Megan and Lauren Campbell, and Sarah and Jason Kraan. Cremation has already taken place and a celebration of John’s life will occur at a later date. Donations can be made to Diabetes Canada or a charity of your choice. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of 4E at the DECH and St. Anne’s Court.