Harold Fenwick Campbell, of Nelson, BC, died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the age of 93. Born November 4,1920 in East Wentworth, Nova Scotia, to Ivan M. and Jessie (nee Smith) Campbell, Harold (Hal) was a quiet but passionate observer of life.
At age 20 Harold volunteered to serve in the Canadian Active Service Force signing up with the 87th/88th Field Artillery in Aldershot N.S. and trained in Petawawa, Ontario, where he transferred to the Service Corp due to a knee injury. He shipped out to England in 1942, had further training in Aldershot U.K. before leaving for the continent. Among other locations he served in Ghent Belgium, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn Netherlands and Germany. After VE day he volunteered for duty in the Pacific but Japan surrendered before he left England. He was mustered out of the army in 1946.
After leaving the army he headed west with several friends to work in the Giant Mine in Yellowknife. A year later he left to work in the Sullivan mine in Kimberley, B.C. where he met his future wife, Thelma Bittman. They began their 66-year life together in Nelson where Hal worked for the CPR until his retirement over 30 years later having achieved the position of Yardmaster.
When Harold met Thelma in Kimberley in 1947 he knew she was the one for him. They raised their three children in Nelson and following their retirement they continued to indulge their love of travel by purchasing a camper for their pick-up truck and making numerous trips throughout Canada and the U.S. They especially loved visiting with family and friends and were able to extend their reach to visit relatives in Sweden and Mexico. In addition to travel Hal took up snowmobiling, and 4-wheeling, becoming one of the oldest if not the oldest member of the Sno-goers. At the age of 92 he could still be found on the ATV with his children and son-in-law exploring the mountains around Nelson. His love of the West Kootenay’s was unbridled, only exceeded by his abiding affection for the Folly Mountain and Wentworth Valley areas of N.S.
Harold was predeceased by his parents and brother Ralph and sister Maxine. He is survived by his wife, Thelma (nee Bittman), and three children: son Arnold in Ottawa, Ont, and; son Ivan Andrew and wife Marion (nee Dunn) in South Surrey, B.C.; daughter Karen and husband Derrick MacDonald in Nelson. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Erin, Ivan U., Drew, Hallie, Eric, Tracy, Twyla and Nancy. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Margaret, Michael and Marcus.
Harold will be deeply missed by his family. He enjoyed life, was generous with his time, accommodated what life handed him and did his best to leave the world a bit better off than he found it. He was a patient, loving and kind man, with a passion for the outdoors and people watching. He will be remembered by all as a true gentleman; a kind and sweet man, whose mild-mannered exterior belied his passion for life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Broader Horizons Senior Centre, Nelson, BC. The family thanks Dr. Sawyer.
Harold’s funeral will be held on Friday, September 19, 1:00pm at Cathedral of Mary Immaculate with Father Conrado Beloso as Celebrant. Burial will immediately follow the service at Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery, with reception to follow at St. Joseph’s Hall.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
On-line condolence may be expressed at
www.thompsonfs.ca