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Richard Campbell

Richard “Dick” Paul Campbell, 89, husband of the late Mary-Ellen “Mel” Fontaine, passed away on March 10, 2024, in the comfort of his home. Dick was born July 6, 1934, in Medford, Massachusetts, to the late Leo and Helen (Hickey) Campbell.

He attended Malden Catholic High School in Malden, Massachusetts, received his B.S. in industrial engineering at Northeastern University, and received his M.S. in occupational safety and health management from the University of New Haven.

Dick was a U.S. Navy veteran and served on the USS W.R. Rush as a Radarman. He retired from Pfizer Global Manufacturing and, in his retirement, worked for the Fenwick Golf Course.

Dick will be remembered and forever missed for the best rib-crushing hugs, after-school hot dog trips with his granddaughters Alexis and Campbell, playful cribbage competitions with Ali, daily morning calls advising Missy why it’s sunny in Saybrook, the twinkle in his eye as it brought him pleasure to help others, and his unconditional love. He cherished every moment spent with family.

Dick was a mentor to many and had a far-reaching impact. His compassion, faith, and love were clearly displayed in everything he touched and on every level of community life. A lifelong resident of Old Saybrook, he was a member of St. Pio Parish, as well as a dedicated Lion for 36 years. While in the Lions Club, he conducted KidSight USA, vision screenings for thousands of children in Eastern Connecticut. He was also actively involved in the Warm the Children Organization.

Since his college days at Northeastern, Dick enjoyed competitive shooting and received numerous awards for marksmanship. He continued his passion for shooting by participating in leagues at the Niantic Sportsmen’s Club. He loved sailing and being on the water, but not in the water. He was a member of the Race Committee for the Friendship Sloop Society, a sailing regatta in Rockland, Maine. He enjoyed golf as much as one can enjoy a nice walk on the greens, but most importantly, his greatest love was being a “G-pa.”

Dick’s legacy will forever be his ability to find light in the darkness. Even through the hardships of losing his wife Mel and son Stephen, he often said he was the luckiest man he knew. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and community. He was truly “a gentle man.”

Dick was predeceased by his wife Mel, the love of his life, and son Stephen. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Leo, Stephen, and Tom Campbell. He leaves behind his daughters, Mary-Elizabeth “Missy” Campbell and Alice “Ali” Campbell; his grandchildren, Alexis Massey, Campbell Massey, Noah Campbell, and Nicole Campbell; and many special nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind, with deep compassion and gratitude, Kaye Hildenbrand, Francine Schuch, and their families.

Funeral Mass took place at St. Pio Parish, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, followed by a Christian burial at Riverside Cemetery, 59 Sheffield St., Old Saybrook. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Dick be directed to either of the following charities: “Warm the Children” Community Foundation of Middlesex County, 49 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457, or the “District 23C Lions KidSight Program,” 163 Lamphere Road, Mystic, CT 06355.