John J. Campbell

John Joseph Campbell , 95 years old of Hillsdale, NJ passed away on November 15, 2015. Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, John moved to Hillsdale 8 years ago. John was known as the “The Milkman” of Bayonne. John was the third youngest of four sons of Delia and Manus Campbell. A Coast Guard Veteran of World War II, he earned the Bronze Star for saving a fellow sailor on the ship USS Theenim during the war. John is a member of the American Legion Post 162 of Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake and Old Tappan, NJ. After the war he settled back in Bayonne where he ran a milk delivery business until the 1980’s. He married Catherine Boyle and they had one son, John Francis (Jay) Campbell. His second work life was as a custodian in the Bayonne Schools where the teachers and children adored him and his caring personality. His wife Cathy died in 1989. In his later years he traced his mother’s family roots back in Ireland, County Clare, Ballyanacarhagh, Kilfenora to her eventual coming to America where she settled, met her husband Manus and they had their first two children in Butte, Montana during the silver rush in the early 1900’s. John Campbell cruised to Alaska and to Bermuda several times including one trip with his son Jay, his wife Susan and their three children Jay Patrick, Erin Marie and Neil Francis. They also traveled to Ireland to visit the first cousins who remained. He also toured Paris and London with his oldest grandchild Jay Patrick. During the last eight years he lived near his son and family in Hillsdale House, Hillsdale, New Jersey, where the caring family of other residents and staff loved him dearly. Pat, Oscar and Orlando reveled in his enthusiasm and sharp mind. As his loving caregiver Elie said recently, he never complained, not even once. His was the perfect personality, finding the best in every person whose life he touched. Mr. Campbell is survived by his son Jay, daughter in law Susan and his grandchildren Jay, Erin Moran along with her husband Thomas, and Neil. He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years Catherine Boyle and his three brothers Denis, Manus and Thomas. Funeral from the Becker Funeral Home on Wednesday 9am with a 10am funeral mass at St. John the Baptist Church, Hillsdale, NJ. Interment will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday 4-8pm at the funeral home. Donations may be made in John’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.