Clifford W. Campbell

Clifford W. Campbell, 93, Toms River, passed away peacefully on December 24 with his wife, Mary Jo, by his side. Cliff was born in Tuckerton on July 14, 1931 to C. Leeland and Hattie Campbell. The family moved back to Beachwood when Cliff was 6 yrs old. He was a proud 1948 graduate of Toms River High School where he was President of the Student Council. Years later he would be inducted into the Toms River Schools Hall of Fame. After attending Duke University he worked at Lakehurst Naval Air Station before starting a highly successful building business, primarily on Long Beach Island.

Cliff's true passion was sailing. His Uncle Marv gave him his first sailboat when he was 8 years old and he was hooked for life! He started his sailing career at Beachwood Yacht Club, was a member for many years and then also became a member of Toms River Yacht Club in 1960. He later was made a lifetime member at TRYC. Cliff won his first Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association Championship in 1949 in the Sneakbox class. He went on to successfully compete in Penguins, M-Scows and E-Scows, earning many more BBYRA championships. He also won the Penguin International Championship, Eastern E-Scow Championship and the prestigious Mallory Cup, North American Men's Sailing Championship.

In 1982 Cliff and Mary Jo began spending their winters in the British Virgin Islands aboard their Freedom 44. They raced and won many major regattas over the years. In 1986 they won the Caribbean Ocean Racing Circuit, consisting of the Copa Velasco Cup in Puerto Rico, Rolex Cup in St. Thomas, BVI Spring Regatta and Antigua Race Week, where they were named "Best Performance Yacht".

Back in NJ in the summers, Cliff continued to compete well in the BBYRA and in 1993 was awarded the O.G. Dale Trophy for sportsmanship and service to the sport of sailing. Over the years he was also awarded by the Eastern E-Scow class, the Samuel Merrick Trophy and by the National E-Scow class, the Runyon Colie Trophy, again for his sportsmanship and service to sailing. In 2004 he was in the first class to be inducted into the Barnegat Bay Sailing Hall of Fame.

One of the things he got the most satisfaction and enjoyment from was helping other sailors, particularly new or young ones. He gave freely and cheerfully of his knowledge and experience and was always willing to spend time explaining rules and tactics. Most recently, in 2023 he was awarded the John Callahan Trophy for contributions to sailing and for mentoring others.

This is something that the Officers of the BBYRA wrote about him: "Cliff was a true champion sailor, a mentor to so many, a dedicated race committee member and a consummate gentleman. He left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. He led a life full of adventure, wisdom and passion for sailing, a spirit that will never be forgotten." This indeed sums up Cliff

Cliff was very proud of his family and loved them all deeply. He is survived by his wife of 53 yrs, Mary Jo, and his four children, Nancy Campbell, San Antonio, TX, Bill and Sherri Campbell, San Diego, CA, Susan Wright, Pasadena, MD, Lynn and Daryl Hansen, Dove Canyon, CA, seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Cliff also leaves many loving extended family members, the Baileys, Hillyers and Tubridys

A Celebration of Cliff's life will take place Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Toms River Yacht Club, 1464 Riviera Ave., Toms River, NJ.