Eddie, Ed, Dad, PaPa, Pop
1947 - 2021
We lost one of the best on Wednesday, March 24th , 2021. Edward James Campbell was a man who worked hard, played harder and loved the hardest. He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Roemer Campbell of almost 50 years, his children, Jamie, Kelly, Sarah, and Brie, his sons-in-law, Raymond, Torsten, Dan, and his ten grandchildren who made him so proud, Lily, Ava, Shay, Campbell, Katherine, Ella, T.J, Elizabeth, Olivia, and Remy.
Ed was born on January 8th, 1947 in Jersey City, NJ. He graduated JP Stevens in 1965, attended Middlesex County College and graduated from Rutgers in 1980. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Saratoga and USS Ranger from 1966 – 1969. He served 2 tours of Vietnam and the 6 Day War. He had lived in Jersey City, Edison, Jefferson Twp. and for the past 35 years, Freehold Twp.
Professionally, he worked for N.Y. Seven Up and N.Y. Coca Cola before becoming an independent Coca Cola distributer in Middletown, Hazlet and Holmdel in 1985. He spun off New Jersey Coffee in 1996. In 2013 after retiring, he became an elementary school bus driver for the town of Manalapan. I think everyone who knew him would agree that this was the most perfect job for him.
Soccer was his passion, Ed dedicated hours to the teams he coached from Rec Soccer to the State Team. He coached for over 20 years, starting with a boys’ soccer team. He then went on to coach girl’s travel, select and even as an assistant for a state team. He loved soccer, coaching and could often be found at any game he could find.
Ed will be remembered as being full of life and that he loved to the fullest. Some would consider him one of the biggest kids out there. Many of you will remember seeing him on a soccer field, the beach, driving his grandkids, at Wegmans, the Post Office, driving a school bus or befriending a complete stranger. He loved to talk and talk and talk, but he also was a really great listener. He was filled with a wealth of knowledge and he could always tell you a story.
So, please share your story of Ed with us! We would love to keep his memory and spirit alive for all of us especially his grandchildren. Write a story, a memory or how you knew Ed… he touched so many hearts. Please email to: EdEddieDadPop@gmail.com .
We will be celebrating Ed’s life on Saturday, May 1st , from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at home in our backyard. It will be a walk thru tribute for Ed outdoors, rain, or shine. Please consider making a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of Edward, Eddie, Ed, Dad, PaPa, Pop. Thank you.
The Family of Edward J. Campbell
Fertig Funeral Home
1947 - 2021
We lost one of the best on Wednesday, March 24th , 2021. Edward James Campbell was a man who worked hard, played harder and loved the hardest. He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Roemer Campbell of almost 50 years, his children, Jamie, Kelly, Sarah, and Brie, his sons-in-law, Raymond, Torsten, Dan, and his ten grandchildren who made him so proud, Lily, Ava, Shay, Campbell, Katherine, Ella, T.J, Elizabeth, Olivia, and Remy.
Ed was born on January 8th, 1947 in Jersey City, NJ. He graduated JP Stevens in 1965, attended Middlesex County College and graduated from Rutgers in 1980. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Saratoga and USS Ranger from 1966 – 1969. He served 2 tours of Vietnam and the 6 Day War. He had lived in Jersey City, Edison, Jefferson Twp. and for the past 35 years, Freehold Twp.
Professionally, he worked for N.Y. Seven Up and N.Y. Coca Cola before becoming an independent Coca Cola distributer in Middletown, Hazlet and Holmdel in 1985. He spun off New Jersey Coffee in 1996. In 2013 after retiring, he became an elementary school bus driver for the town of Manalapan. I think everyone who knew him would agree that this was the most perfect job for him.
Soccer was his passion, Ed dedicated hours to the teams he coached from Rec Soccer to the State Team. He coached for over 20 years, starting with a boys’ soccer team. He then went on to coach girl’s travel, select and even as an assistant for a state team. He loved soccer, coaching and could often be found at any game he could find.
Ed will be remembered as being full of life and that he loved to the fullest. Some would consider him one of the biggest kids out there. Many of you will remember seeing him on a soccer field, the beach, driving his grandkids, at Wegmans, the Post Office, driving a school bus or befriending a complete stranger. He loved to talk and talk and talk, but he also was a really great listener. He was filled with a wealth of knowledge and he could always tell you a story.
So, please share your story of Ed with us! We would love to keep his memory and spirit alive for all of us especially his grandchildren. Write a story, a memory or how you knew Ed… he touched so many hearts. Please email to: EdEddieDadPop@gmail.com .
We will be celebrating Ed’s life on Saturday, May 1st , from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at home in our backyard. It will be a walk thru tribute for Ed outdoors, rain, or shine. Please consider making a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of Edward, Eddie, Ed, Dad, PaPa, Pop. Thank you.
The Family of Edward J. Campbell
Fertig Funeral Home
To Ed:
May the Light you shone be forever in everyone's hearts;
May your family and friends know that they are so blessed to have the treasure of wonderful memories of you to hold on to!!
To Ed's Family:
It brings tears to my eyes to know that Ed was such an incredible person and that he will be missed so much but never forgotten! God bless you all!
May the Light you shone be forever in everyone's hearts;
May your family and friends know that they are so blessed to have the treasure of wonderful memories of you to hold on to!!
To Ed's Family:
It brings tears to my eyes to know that Ed was such an incredible person and that he will be missed so much but never forgotten! God bless you all!
It was early 1970's my boyfriend Frank said his buddy E.J. and his girlfriend were coming to Boston to visit. We would meet them at a restaurant and hang out for a while. We had a great time and had a lot in common. Frank and E.J. were in the Navy together and served on the Saratoga in Viet Nam.
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston and ours to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem Ma, Rockport, Martha's Vineyard trips to New jersey, The Jersey shore, singing songs by Carol King, and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren came along. We have 3 blessings, they have 10 beautiful bundles of joy. We would call on the phone, and eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were shocked and saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family, we are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss. Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Karen and Frank Ferrick
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston and ours to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem Ma, Rockport, Martha's Vineyard trips to New jersey, The Jersey shore, singing songs by Carol King, and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren came along. We have 3 blessings, they have 10 beautiful bundles of joy. We would call on the phone, and eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were shocked and saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family, we are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss. Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Karen and Frank Ferrick
I knew Ed and Kathy when I lived in Freehold where my husband and I raised our 3 daughters. I was a Girl Scout Leader and he always made sure his girls could go on GS trips and especially camping. I last saw Ed and Kathy filling a Coke machine at the school I was teaching at in Middletown. We moved to Cato, NY in 2002. Debra called to tell me. I am so sorry.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
To Ed:
May the Light you shone be forever in everyone's hearts;
May your family and friends know that they are so blessed to have the treasure of wonderful memories of you to hold on to!!
To Ed's Family:
It brings tears to my eyes to know that Ed was such an incredible person and that he will be missed so much but never forgotten! God bless you all!
May the Light you shone be forever in everyone's hearts;
May your family and friends know that they are so blessed to have the treasure of wonderful memories of you to hold on to!!
To Ed's Family:
It brings tears to my eyes to know that Ed was such an incredible person and that he will be missed so much but never forgotten! God bless you all!
It was early 1970's my boyfriend Frank said his buddy E.J. and his girlfriend were coming to Boston to visit. We would meet them at a restaurant and hang out for a while. We had a great time and had a lot in common. Frank and E.J. were in the Navy together and served on the Saratoga in Viet Nam.
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston and ours to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem Ma, Rockport, Martha's Vineyard trips to New jersey, The Jersey shore, singing songs by Carol King, and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren came along. We have 3 blessings, they have 10 beautiful bundles of joy. We would call on the phone, and eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were shocked and saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family, we are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss. Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Karen and Frank Ferrick
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston and ours to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem Ma, Rockport, Martha's Vineyard trips to New jersey, The Jersey shore, singing songs by Carol King, and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren came along. We have 3 blessings, they have 10 beautiful bundles of joy. We would call on the phone, and eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were shocked and saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family, we are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss. Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Karen and Frank Ferrick
I knew Ed and Kathy when I lived in Freehold where my husband and I raised our 3 daughters. I was a Girl Scout Leader and he always made sure his girls could go on GS trips and especially camping. I last saw Ed and Kathy filling a Coke machine at the school I was teaching at in Middletown. We moved to Cato, NY in 2002. Debra called to tell me. I am so sorry.
Gallery
Tomorrow is going to be the first Christmas without him. Miss you papa love you
So excited!!
Christmas Eve - Roemer Family 1982
Christmas Eve - Roemer House 1981
Spring of 1979
Kelly's HS Grad - 1995
Ed Navy - 1966-1969 in Cock Pit of Plane he maintanenced
Kelly - summer of 1977
ED Navy - 1966-1969 Played the Snoopy VS Red Baron Song every Christmas
Recent stories
One of a Kind !
My Dear Friend Ed I had the privilege of working with you on a daily basis At Transportation driving a school bus . We also did snow removal (when no one else wanted to do it !) We even drove for the rec center summer camp in the heat of the summer and managed to have fun. Your age had no boundaries it was clear it was only a number. You were young at heart and mind. always in for a good laugh. Which I can say many of us had with you . Some of the funniest moments were dancing down the aisles and on the seats of the bus while we were waiting for the kids to come on. Numerous snowball fights & pranks , coffee clutches at Dunkin donuts & Chris's office to talk about whatever the topic of the day was. You were adored by many including myself . We all enjoyed all of your stories of your life your family and especially of all your beautiful grandchildren which you were so crazy about! Your presence is truly missed. Transportation will not be the same without you may you rest in peace until we meet again . Love Lori Casazza
It was early 1970's my boyfriend Frank said his buddy E.J. and his girlfriend were coming to Boston to visit. We would meet them at a restaurant and hang out for a while. We had a great time and really had a lot in common. Frank and E.J. were in the Navy together and served on the USS Ranger in Viet Nam.
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston .and our visits to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem, Ma, Rockport ,Martha's Vineyard. trips to New Jersey, The Jersey Shore, singing songs by Carol King and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren entered our lives. We have 3 blessings in our lives ..E.J. and Kathy have 10 beautiful bundles of Joy. We would call on the phone, eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Campbell's Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were so shocked saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. He was so full of life. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family We are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss .Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Love and prayers are with you, Karen and Frank Ferrick
This friendship lasted throughout the years. We enjoyed looking forward to their visits to Boston .and our visits to New Jersey.
Highlights included Salem, Ma, Rockport ,Martha's Vineyard. trips to New Jersey, The Jersey Shore, singing songs by Carol King and James Taylor on the radio.
They came to our wedding, we went to theirs.
Babies came along and our firstborns met. Times got busier and visits not as frequent. Eventually grandchildren entered our lives. We have 3 blessings in our lives ..E.J. and Kathy have 10 beautiful bundles of Joy. We would call on the phone, eventually e-mailing back and forth.
We would look forward to the Campbell's Christmas card every year to count the new grandchildren. I still have them tucked away to check the names of all and see how they have grown each year.
We were so shocked saddened to hear of E.J.s passing. We will always remember his big beautiful smile and laugh. He was so full of life. We always hoped we would meet up again some day.
Kathy and family We are heartbroken for each of you as you try to cope with your loss .Hold tight to his love and memories for comfort.
May his hopes and dreams live on in your beautiful family.
Love and prayers are with you, Karen and Frank Ferrick
50 years of Friendship
My memories snd stories of Ed are too numerous to recount.. it takes a lot of love to remain friends for 50 years with anyone, but Ed ( and Kathy) were both committed to ours. I will always remember Ed in the way that he laughed mischievously, and his shoulders shrugged a bit while he was laughing.. adding to my perception that he was up to something .
I will never forget Ed .... and there is a story behind my chipped front tooth that involves a ski trip, a wine bottle and Ed, but it’s a precious personal memory and I hope Kathy laughs when she reads this because she was there.
Sending all my love to each and every one of the Campbell’s. Ed will be tremendously missed by all of us.
I will never forget Ed .... and there is a story behind my chipped front tooth that involves a ski trip, a wine bottle and Ed, but it’s a precious personal memory and I hope Kathy laughs when she reads this because she was there.
Sending all my love to each and every one of the Campbell’s. Ed will be tremendously missed by all of us.