Neil McNair Campbell (Dec. 20, 1926 -“ Dec. 12, 2017)
Pre-deceased by his wife Thelma (Fraser) Campbell, and son Mathew (1964) who died in early infancy; survived by sons Steven (Tracey), of Moncton, NB; and Geoffrey, of Castlegar, British Columbia; he leaves behind his beloved grandson, Kyle (Natasha) of Calgary, AB; and two beautiful great granddaughters, Mya and Summer.
Born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, he was the son of John Norman and Helen (McLaren) Campbell; and was predeceased by his three brothers, Norman, Donald and David Campbell. Neil was a paperboy with the Truro Daily news in the 30's and early forties, was then employed with Hartley Weatherby's Hardware store before beginning his career with the CNR.
He and his wife Thelma had enjoyed many years together: golfing, singing in choirs, and bowling in New Glasgow and Moncton. Both he and his wife Thelma were active members of New Glasgow First Presbyterian Church, Bethel Presbyterian and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for over 30 years, teaching Sunday School, and in various functions.
Neil enjoyed music of all varieties, playing piano, sight reading music, and dabbling in writing post-retirement. He was probably the most hard-core Toronto Maple Leafs fan of all time, sometimes sending Harold Ballard telegrams for suggested line changes involving the likes of Lanny McDonald and Darryl Sittler. Neil was a dedicated Moncton Minor Hockey coach.
Neil enjoyed a 41 year career as a telegrapher / train dispatcher, with stints working at CN in Halifax and New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Finally transferring to Moncton in 1967. He had thoroughly enjoyed his years with the railway, and the people he met along the way, and with whom he worked beside. He was the last train dispatcher in Canada to send a Morse code train order on Oct. 31, 1977, before radio technology paved the way for microwave, fiber-optics, and ultimately satellite-internet communications. He both lamented and celebrated that day.
Since 2010, Neil became afflicted with memory loss and dementia issues;
and his family wishes to thank the staff of the Kenneth E. Spencer Memorial Home (Cedar grove Wing), for their excellent and most compassionate care provided to him over the past several years, and to the staff at the Sunset Village care home prior to his moving to a more extensive elderly care facility.
At Neils request, there will be no visitation or funeral service, but a
private family internment will be held at a later time.