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