Obituary of Norman G. Campbell

Norman Gregory Campbell, 99, passed peacefully in his sleep at home on March 14, 2024, of natural causes. He was born in Houlton, ME, the third of four children, on September 10, 1924, son of Elizabeth H. (Lawler) and Henry L. Campbell.

Much of his youth was spent living in Danforth, Maine. At the age of 12, Norman’s family moved to Eastport. The coal fuel delivery route he worked on provided minimal income (a dime per week) but this money was added to his profits from his paper route and was given to his mother. It was the coastal town of Eastport that truly inspired his love of seafaring vessels and eventually led to his enlistment in the U.S. Navy at 18. In 1941, Norman’s family moved to Brewer, Maine. During high school, he worked as a water boy for a crew building an auxiliary landing for DOW Air Force Base in Winterport, Maine (currently known as the Winterport Drag). During the winter in his senior year, he delivered death notices through Western Union from the War Department. He graduated from John Bapst High School in 1942. Following his graduation, Norman enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed basic training in Chicago, Illinois. His participation in the war efforts of WWII led him to sail on a landing craft down the Mississippi River, through the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal to join up with the U.S. Naval effort in the Pacific. He did not return home from his service until well after the parades were over for a brief visit home to Maine.

Norman re-enlisted in the Navy and participated in the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. After the conclusion of the Korean Conflict, Norman returned home to Brewer, Maine and began working at the family business - Campbell’s Bakery. It was here that he fell in love with a beautiful young Pastry Specialist named Sondra Hawkes, whom he married shortly thereafter on May 3rd, 1956. Re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Sondra patiently followed Norman around the country while he pursued his career in the Navy. A pleasant byproduct of their journey was a gradual growth of their family. Over time, Norman and Sondra became the loving parents to a troop of children. Norman witnessed many great things throughout his life, but always liked to speak about the more unique things he was lucky enough to witness. During the Cold War, he chased Russian submarines in the North Atlantic and even witnessed Fidel Castro march into Havana via Guantanamo Bay. Norman served with many men he found to be interesting and honorable. He was thrilled to sail aboard such ships as the U.S.S. Wasp, Midway, Coral Sea, Wright, and Essex to name a few. After an exciting and rewarding service to our country, Norman retired from the Navy in June, 1969.

He began building his career and created his own business, N. Campbell & Sons Electric. Norman’s experience as a ship electrician inspired many family members to pursue electrical careers through the generations. His hobbies included coin collecting, antiques, gun collecting, enjoying nature, and most of all, telling stories. Although he was never one to shy away from odd jobs and secondary income, Norman’s work ethic did not come from nothing; the hard-working businessman was born in an era of The Great Depression which truly taught him to be tough in the face of adversity. The work ethic that pushed Norman to succeed in life was passed down through the generations and can be seen in all aspects of his legacy.

Norman is survived by his wife, Sondra (Hawkes) Campbell; daughter, Norma Saulis and husband, Allen Saulis; Son, Norman P. Campbell and wife, Joanne Campbell; daughter, Bonita Pearson and husband, Keith Pearson; son, Thomas Campbell and wife, Pixie Campbell; son, Daniel Campbell and wife, Jane Campbell; daughter, Karen Day and husband, Maurice Day; grandchildren, Amy, Laura, Jared; Norman M., Joseph, Paul; Jammie, Keith D., Chris J. P.; Melissa, Teresa, Emily, Madison, Hailee; Daisy; Daniel, Grace, Andrew. Norman also had many, many great grandchildren. Norman is predeceased by sister, Marie McDonough; brothers, Patrick and Charles Campbell; his beloved youngest son, Christopher Joseph Campbell.

A graveside service with military honors and bag pipes will be held 11:00 AM Friday, May 3, 2024 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 598 No Main St, Brewer.  Messages and memories of Norman may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.