POUGHKEEPSIE – Gary James Campbell, 76, passed away on Sunday morning, March 20, 2022, in Poughkeepsie. The son of Robert and Dorothy Campbell was a lifelong resident of Dutchess County, since his July 1945 birth in Beacon.
Mr. Campbell spent the last several years displaying his stubborn Scottish pride fighting recurring illnesses that he refused to bow down to. Mr. Campbell was a 1963 graduate of Beacon High School. He is survived by his bride of 53 years, Florence Emily Gerth Campbell, and their son, Darren Campbell who resides in Poughkeepsie. His brother Jeffrey resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife Lisa. Gary Campbell’s two nieces, Allison, married to husband Bryant, and their son Evan, along with Gary’s niece Margaret are mourning the loss of their uncle. In Poughkeepsie, Gary’s granddaughter Lily remains at the side of her father Darren and grandmother Florence during this sad time.
Gary, a graduate of Dutchess Community College met his future wife Florence on the college campus in 1967. The two married on the first day of the infamous Woodstock festival, August 16, 1969, in the Town of Poughkeepsie. They settled in the City of Poughkeepsie where Gary spent a career in banking with Beneficial Financial while his bride “Flo” also spent 40 years in the banking industry.
In addition to his love of his wife Florence, he enjoyed genealogy and ham radio operations. Gary was able to trace his lineage back to the Alden family who arrived in America on the Mayflower. He spent years serving as the 1st Vice-president of the Alden Kindred of America, based in Duxbury, Massachusetts. In lieu of calling hours, there will be a “Celebration of Life” at the Shamrock Association in Poughkeepsie, where Gary held membership since 2008. The date has not yet been determined. On the first weekend of August, Gary’s family will travel to the Alden House Historic Site in Duxbury, Massachusetts to spread his ashes on the site where his ancestors began their American life.
Alden House Historic Site
Campbell’s affection for ham radio operations began at an early age. He received his license at the age of 14 in NYC. He used the opportunity to chat with people around the globe, using the call sign “WA2KSL”. He also had an attraction to cars and purchased a brand new Plymouth Roadrunner in 1969.
Donations in Gary’s memory can be made to the Alden Kindred of America by clicking here. Donations in Mr. Campbell’s memory are also being accepted by the Dutchess County Scottish Society. Checks payable to the Dutchess County Scottish Society should include “Gary Campbell” in the memo section and be mailed to the DCSS, c/o Margaret Schumacher, 50 Pembroke Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
