In Memory of George D. Campbell

Obituary

George D. Campbell

December 21, 1931 – July 29, 2026

The Campbell Family is saddened to announce that George Downie Campbell passed away peacefully at home in Utica, New York on July 29, 2026. George was born on December 21, 1931 in Wick, Scotland. According to his grandson Jordi Arboleda, George spent 94 glorious years on this earth - working hard, raising a family, and living adventures with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 75 years, Doris Campbell.

George came to America as an infant and grew up on the east side of Manhattan. His family then moved to Queens, New York. George attended Grover Cleveland High School as did Doris. They met in Forest Park when he offered to lace her ice skates; Doris declined, saying that she could do her own skates.

They married on Father's Day, June 17, 1951 and just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. They have lived in Queens, New York and Seaford, Long Island before moving to Manhattan, New York City in 1967. In 2017, George and Doris moved to Acacia Village at the Masonic Care Community in Utica, New York, where they lived a peaceful life among the rolling grass and majestic trees, the fox and deer, and a community of welcoming friends.

It is no surprise that George wound up in Utica at the Masonic Community. As a lifelong Mason, this affiliation meant a great deal to him. He belonged to Advance Service Mizpah Lodge in Long Island City, NY and attended lodge meetings and gatherings locally in Utica and on the campus. Masonry was a part of George's family; his father, Thomas Murray Campbell was a Mason and his mother, Mary Jessie Campbell was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Before leaving New York City for Utica, George was an active member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Men's Club and an active supporter of the Wednesday Night Bistro. Whatever job needed filling, George would get it done. Either he did it himself or he found someone who could do it. When Father Bolle needed a Sunday school teacher for the youngest churchgoers, George wrangled his youngest daughter Charlotte into teaching Sunday school under the guise of “they just need help organizing the little ones for the Christmas pageant.” George had a particular fondness for Omar, a facility staff member, of whom he probably was a little jealous. Omar had a whole church that needed fixing, just what George loved to do.

George worked many jobs including time at American Standard in New York City as a troubleshooter for their heating division.According to his grandson Cary, “…papa can fix anything!” His expertise was in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) which he studied at SUNY Farmingdale. He developed sales skills as a child, liftingwatermelons from freight trains and selling them through the windows to factory workers.

He was a helper and could always be counted on by those in need, whether family, friends, or strangers needing life-saving assistance. In retirement, George spent time figuring out who needed a particular item he no longer had use for and getting it to them. His children were used to getting a paper bag of items he felt needed rehoming, delivered straight to their door.

George is survived by his wife and best friend, Doris Campbell, and his five children and their spouses: Dr. Susan Katz and Adrienne Segall of Tucson, Arizona, Nancy Campbell and Dr. Mildred Borras of New York City, Penny Wolfe of New York City, Charlotte Arboleda and William Arboleda of New York City, and George D. Campbell II and Tara Campbell of Quaker Hill, Connecticut. He was also survived by 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren - Matthew Katz, Alex Katz, Drew Katz, Travis Wolfe, Wills Wolfe, Shelby Norris, Cary Norris, Jordi Arboleda, Tyler Campbell, Shane Campbell, Marina Campbell, Riley Campbell, Ayanna Ross, Luke Campbell, Everly Campbell and several nieces and nephews.

A Masonic Service will be held in Utica, New York on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 on the Masonic Care Community campus. Please contact the family if you plan to attend. If you wish to send a message of condolence to Doris, her address is 2160 Bleecker Street, apt. B132, Utica, New York 13501.

Arrangements are with Simple Cremation CNY, Utica.