Millerton mourns the loss of John Campbell

MILLERTON — The village of Millerton is close-knit. Those who live and work here know each other well; most in the community knew lifelong resident John Campbell. Campbell, 89, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 21, from complications from a stroke.

“John had a good, long life,” said his brother, Jim. “Certainly it was a very productive life. In the end he went peacefully.”

He had an active life. Besides working at the appliance store, Campbell and Keeler, started by his father, Campbell served as assessor for the town of North East and the town of Clinton. He was on the North East Board of Assessment Review. He was a member of the Republican Committee and election coordinator for North East. He was a member of the Rotary Club, past president of the Millerton Gun Club, a decades-long member of Mount Riga Upper Camp, a 65-year member of the Webutuck Masonic Lodge, an honorary member of the Millerton Fire Department and director of the North East Historical Society. He also belonged to the Millerton United Methodist Church.

“John was involved in numerous organizations, of course,” said his brother. “He interacted with practically everyone and anyone. He was very much involved and knew everybody.”

But more than that, he was a husband, a father, a son and a brother. 

His family has long lived on Rudd Pond, and being on the water was an integral part of who he was.

“Rudd Pond was a big factor in John’s life, like all of us,” said Jim, noting John was a lifeguard and swim instructor for many years. 

In the late ‘70s, there was a “tremendous winter kill of fish” after the state lowered the water. Thousands of fish were killed. John advocated for bringing back the fish population.

“When you’re brought up on the lake, it’s just what you do,” said his brother. “John was very concerned also with the weed problem throughout the years. He was very much involved.”

An outdoorsman, John also loved to garden, in addition to loving to hunt and fish.

“John had a real passion for his garden. It was tremendous,” said Jim. “He had both vegetables and flowers and gave away as much as he kept. That was a very big part of his life. And he did that right up until the end. For him, he loved seeing things grow.”

And while not here in the physical world any longer, John’s memory will continue on in the village of Millerton, where most knew him best.

“He was very devoted and very committed to the community,” said Jim. “It was really very important to him. He had a genuine love for the town that he had grown up in.”