Pittstown- Rev. Gaylord P. “Jake” Campbell, 84, passed from this life into heavenly rest surrounded by his wife and family at his residence after a life full of wonders, joys, and a little mayhem from time to time, Wednesday afternoon, April 21, 2021.
Born at the family home in Pittstown, May 26, 1936, Jake, as he preferred to be called, was the son of the late Stanley H. and Ruth M. (Weeden) Campbell. On February 9, 1957, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Campbell, and began a celebration of 64 years that included the births of their three children, Sharon, Paul, and Lisarose, of whom he was so very proud.
As a young boy, Jake walked each day to the Raymertown Academy, a one room schoolhouse, before attending Lansingburgh High School. Jake’s education was cut short after his father suffered an injury, and 14 year old Jake took over his father’s milk delivery route and farming chores to assist in supporting his family. He never returned to school, because it “got in the way of his education.” Later in life, he earned a General Equivalency Diploma in1985 that allowed him to attend the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington.
Jake was the owner and operator of Campbell’s Service and Supply Company for over 40 years, working with his father and, more recently, his son Paul. He assisted many of his neighbors and customers with general contracting projects, including excavation work, hauling gravel, plumbing, and heating repairs, and ministerial services.
In the 1980s, after prompting from the late Rev. David Hubbard, Jake led his first church service and the spark was lit that led him to attend seminary and pursue a second career as a pastor, leading the Petersburgh, Tomhannock, and North Pownal United Methodist Churches.
He was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, a member and the Chaplain of the Raymertown Volunteer Fire Company, a former member of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows - Raymertown Chapter, and past chairman of the Pittstown Republican Party.
Jake loved to visit with his friends, reminiscing about the old days, and talk about the politics of the town, state, and country. He unofficially pastored and ministered to many in the area with his easy going “working nut” style and always found a way to identify the common ground between himself and those he was speaking with. Jake loved Jesus, Betty, and his family with all his heart and was very proud of all their accomplishments. He was an avid Boston Celtic Basketball fan and never missed attending his daughters’ high school basketball games.
In addition to Betty, Jake is survived by his children, Sharon and Jak Bestle of Troy, Paul and Michele Campbell of Pittstown, and Lisarose Campbell and Bryan Dean of Troy, eight grandchildren, Daniel, Darlene, David, Vicki, Paige, Jessica, Mackenzie, and Sarah, six great-grandchildren, Noah, Giada, Olivia, Aubree, Joie, and Zoe, a sister, Carol Hyldeland of Troy, a sister-in-law and her husband, Dorothy and Bill Tweedy of Syracuse, an uncle, Maurice Burton of Pittstown, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his “baby sister,” Patricia “Patty” Vadnais, a brother-in-law, Jay Hyldeland, and his aunt, Charlene Burton.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at Brundige Hall, located in the Pittstown Volunteer Rescue Squad, 60 Parker School Road, Pittstown, on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 25, 2021, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A Fire Company service will be held at 4:00 p.m. followed by a public remembrance service for Jake at 4:30 p.m. A private funeral service will be held at the Pittstown United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Jim Knapp at the convenience of the family. Burial will be private at Hillside Cemetery in Raymertown. Occupancy limits, face masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing, following the current NYS COVID19 guidelines, will be required of all guests and visitors.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Pittstown United Methodist Church, Albany Med Foundation, Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, Raymertown Volunteer Fire Co., or the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps.
The Campbell family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Scott Beegle, Anneliese Provost, NP, and Community Hospice for their love and support of Jake when under their excellent care.
Born at the family home in Pittstown, May 26, 1936, Jake, as he preferred to be called, was the son of the late Stanley H. and Ruth M. (Weeden) Campbell. On February 9, 1957, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Campbell, and began a celebration of 64 years that included the births of their three children, Sharon, Paul, and Lisarose, of whom he was so very proud.
As a young boy, Jake walked each day to the Raymertown Academy, a one room schoolhouse, before attending Lansingburgh High School. Jake’s education was cut short after his father suffered an injury, and 14 year old Jake took over his father’s milk delivery route and farming chores to assist in supporting his family. He never returned to school, because it “got in the way of his education.” Later in life, he earned a General Equivalency Diploma in1985 that allowed him to attend the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington.
Jake was the owner and operator of Campbell’s Service and Supply Company for over 40 years, working with his father and, more recently, his son Paul. He assisted many of his neighbors and customers with general contracting projects, including excavation work, hauling gravel, plumbing, and heating repairs, and ministerial services.
In the 1980s, after prompting from the late Rev. David Hubbard, Jake led his first church service and the spark was lit that led him to attend seminary and pursue a second career as a pastor, leading the Petersburgh, Tomhannock, and North Pownal United Methodist Churches.
He was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, a member and the Chaplain of the Raymertown Volunteer Fire Company, a former member of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows - Raymertown Chapter, and past chairman of the Pittstown Republican Party.
Jake loved to visit with his friends, reminiscing about the old days, and talk about the politics of the town, state, and country. He unofficially pastored and ministered to many in the area with his easy going “working nut” style and always found a way to identify the common ground between himself and those he was speaking with. Jake loved Jesus, Betty, and his family with all his heart and was very proud of all their accomplishments. He was an avid Boston Celtic Basketball fan and never missed attending his daughters’ high school basketball games.
In addition to Betty, Jake is survived by his children, Sharon and Jak Bestle of Troy, Paul and Michele Campbell of Pittstown, and Lisarose Campbell and Bryan Dean of Troy, eight grandchildren, Daniel, Darlene, David, Vicki, Paige, Jessica, Mackenzie, and Sarah, six great-grandchildren, Noah, Giada, Olivia, Aubree, Joie, and Zoe, a sister, Carol Hyldeland of Troy, a sister-in-law and her husband, Dorothy and Bill Tweedy of Syracuse, an uncle, Maurice Burton of Pittstown, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his “baby sister,” Patricia “Patty” Vadnais, a brother-in-law, Jay Hyldeland, and his aunt, Charlene Burton.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at Brundige Hall, located in the Pittstown Volunteer Rescue Squad, 60 Parker School Road, Pittstown, on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 25, 2021, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. A Fire Company service will be held at 4:00 p.m. followed by a public remembrance service for Jake at 4:30 p.m. A private funeral service will be held at the Pittstown United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Jim Knapp at the convenience of the family. Burial will be private at Hillside Cemetery in Raymertown. Occupancy limits, face masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing, following the current NYS COVID19 guidelines, will be required of all guests and visitors.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Pittstown United Methodist Church, Albany Med Foundation, Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, Raymertown Volunteer Fire Co., or the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps.
The Campbell family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Scott Beegle, Anneliese Provost, NP, and Community Hospice for their love and support of Jake when under their excellent care.
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