Mr. Vernon L. Campbell

Mr. Vernon Leroy Campbell, of Hinsdale, MA, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Craneville Nursing Home in Dalton, Ma. Vern and his wife Susan lived 40 years at 25 Country Road in Hinsdale, MA. He lived a long life surrounded by love and joy. He would have celebrated his 94th birthday on November 21st. Vernon was born in Pittsfield, MA in 1928, to the late Irving A. Campbell and Mildred (Hawley) Campbell. When he was 2, his family moved to Richmond and Richmond Furnace. There he attended a one room schoolhouse. At the age of 10, his family moved to West Pittsfield where he was educated in Pittsfield Schools. He graduated from Pittsfield High School with the class of 1946, where he was a lineman and lettered for 2 years on the football team. Vernon was also a member of the Golden Bears Semi-Pro Football Team in Pittsfield. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the service along with his best friend Ron LaBeau. Vern was stationed in Alaska with the United States Air Force. He often fondly reminisced about his time stationed in Alaska. Vernon started his career in heating working at Sheldon Plumbing. For many years of his career, he worked with Dalton Heating and retired as a service manager. Many customers relied on him to make sure they stayed warm during the cold Berkshire winters. Vern was a man who enjoyed the simpler things in life like parades with marching bands and watching for visitors to his bird feeders. He even mastered the art of whistling with all his might to scare away occasional visiting bears. He had a voracious love of reading—everything from sports articles about his beloved grandchildren to history. He loved music from Sunday morning polka hour to the Boston Pops. Vernon and Sue spent 14 summers in Wells Beach, Maine. They could meander for hours searching for sea glass. Fishing off the jetty in Wells sometimes was a daily trip. Hunting and Fishing were among his favorite hobbies. He was a member of the Dalton American Legion, and proudly served on the Honor Guard. He was also a Past Master, and a member of the Unity Lodge of Masons in Dalton. Vern’s love of sports, family, and community often intersected as he coached all three of his boys’ teams in baseball and football throughout their youth. He never missed a chance to attend a game or special event for his family. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, step-greatgrandchildren. Vern was loved by all as the head of the Clan Campbell. Many a days Vern and Sue would have a table at their home in Hinsdale with a puzzle in progress. Stopping and finding new pieces together was a peaceful delight! He is survived by his wife, Susan (Stengl) Campbell, his eight children, Gary Campbell (Susan) of Dalton, MA; Glenn Campbell of Dalton; Laurie Galok (Paul) of Lanesborough, MA; Valerie Campbell of Hinsdale, MA; Gail Burgner (Thomas) of Dalton, MA; Jennifer Duquette (David) of Hinsdale, MA; Brenda LaPlante (Doug) of Dalton, MA; and Karen Garvey (Shaun) of New Ashford, MA, 20 Grandchildren; 27 Great Grandchildren and Sister-in-law Ruth Campbell of Pittsfield. Vernon also leaves behind an extensive extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews, many who traveled from afar for the Clan Campbell reunion in August at Onota Lake. He also leaves four step-children, Kim Sarmuk (Peter) of East Berlin, CT; Charles Stengl (Cheryl) of Dalton, MA; Steven Stengl (Kimberly) of Chatham, NY; and Cindy Tucker (Scott) of Hinsdale, MA; 10 step-grandchildren, and 9 step-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Beatrice Ruth (Liebenow) Campbell, his son Vernon “Rocky” Campbell, grandson Paul J. Galok Jr., brothers Irving A Campbell Jr., David R Campbell and sister Lois LaRouche. The family would like to thank the staff and administration at Craneville Nursing Home especially Danielle and Unit 3 Rehab for their compassionate care, as well as Dr. Vaughan for his expertise and guidance, and HospiceCare in the Berkshires. Funeral Notice: A graveside service with full military honors for Mr. Vernon Campbell will be Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 11am at the Maple Street Cemetery, Hinsdale, MA 01235. In lieu of flowers, per Vernon’s request, donations in his memory can be made to 12th Man Go-Blue, Inc (to help support Wahconah and Dalton Youth Football), the Dalton American Legion, or the Unity Lodge Masons of Dalton MA in care of the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home.

Mr. Vernon L. Campbell

November 21, 1928 - October 18, 2022