Leo Joseph Campbell was the only child of Theresa Mary (McCarthy) and James Joseph Campbell, born in the Woodstock hospital, in New Brunswick, on February 6th, 1947. He spent his early years likely keeping his older parents very busy. One story of his childhood adventures tells of how he made his way, unbeknownst to his parents, to the very back of the farm in Jacksonville  (which went almost all the way back to Route 550) ambling along behind the family dog. He was found by his closest neighbour, "Uncle Heddy" as he called him, certainly much to the relief of his mother and father. Mysteriously, the dog disappeared immediately after.

The farm was sold when Leo was young. The Campbells ran the Hardscrabble store for a period of time, over which they lived, and which is still standing at the intersection in Upper Woodstock. Leo's father, Joe, also ran the local Nelson Monuments business, and Leo has recounted stories of digging graves and setting stones. The family lived just off of Broadway Street for a while, then later on his father built a house in Upper Woodstock. As a teenager, Leo enjoyed playing hockey on the river with his buddies. The same skates he donned at age 16 lasted him much of his skating life, as he wore them in the old Woodstock arena with his kids as well, needing only one set of blade replacements. Skating was a favorite pastime of Leo's that he shared with his children, right up until a few years ago when he could not safely continue to anymore.

In 1970, Leo married his best friend, Gail Diane Randall, daughter of Marguerite and Eric Randall. Leo and Gail celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary a few short weeks ago, this past December 19th. The two spent their early days together sharing a love of snowmobiling and happily "mucking about" in nature, simply enjoying their time together. In 1972, Leo obtained a teaching position in Marystown, Newfoundland, so they headed over and lived for a year in the home of Adela (Addie) and William Pittman, whom they adored. Money was especially tight in those early years, and there are numerous tales about the character-building challenges encountered driving the old Ford van there and back, amongst other voyages. Following his school year in Newfoundland, the couple returned home. Leo took a teaching position in McAdam, then moved to Southern Carleton School. Their daughter, Misty Dawn Campbell, was born on March 1st, 1976, and immediately and permanently became 'daddy's little girl' and lifelong sidekick. A school year was spent in Gorham, Maine from 1979 to 1980, as Leo worked to complete his Education degree at the University of Maine. The family lived in a tiny apartment there with their young daughter, in which, apparently, they slept on mattresses on the bedroom floor where the occasional mouse ran across, but all their daughter fondly recalls is her wonderful 4th birthday celebration where her mother amusingly made her pop the balloons as she plugged her ears in the other room, and the fun kid downstairs with his guinea pig and beaded doorway. This was their gift as parents – life never seemed lacking, and love was always plentiful. On February 17, 1981, they had a son, Casey Ryan Campbell. As Leo's daughter Misty has always been told, "My land, you are just like your father!" in looks, personality and quirks, Casey was dark haired and brown-eyed but has inherited his father's sturdy, strong build, quick wit, and sense of humour. As his son grew up, Leo could be heard routinely and proudly bragging about his boy's hockey skills and strength. Leo spent the rest of his teaching career at Woodstock Junior High School, from where he retired in 2003. He was always a much-loved teacher by his students. He kept his shop immaculate and in excellent, organized order, while he taught with a calm kindness and understanding for all of his pupils.

Leo was an avid genealogist, and has thoroughly documented his family history, even making a trip in the mid 80s to Ireland where he met distant relatives and visited family homes. He has always maintained especially strong ties with his McCarthy family on the Grand Falls Portage, where his grandfather donated the land upon which St. Patrick's Church resides. He was a great storyteller and always provided more than enough details when describing situations and tales from his history.

After retirement, Leo fully took on the role of Grampie to his twin grandsons, Spencer Ryan and Noah Joseph Walton, who were born on July 22, 2000. The boys loved their grampie, and adored building and creating all sorts of things with him over the years. He designed and helped build his daughter's home in 2001, just as he designed and built his own home in 1975. He also did planning and design for numerous other buildings in the area over the years, and had some involvement with the local Habitat For Humanity organization. His love of snowmobiling and woodworking were constants in his life, with Ayers Lake being a favourite destination and his shop in the garage being where he spent a lot of his time.

In his later years, Leo and Casey enjoyed not only the relationship as father and son but formed a great friendship. Leo also got to experience the joy of two more grandsons, Bowen Leo Campbell and Jaxton Eli Campbell, born on April 24, 2019, and October 29, 2020, respectively. Even though Leo had begun to suffer some symptoms of dementia by this time, he always lit up whenever he saw these little boys and loved playing and talking with them.

Casey's wife, Amanda, along with Robert Kitchen, Misty's partner, were welcome additions to Leo and Gail's family, and have rounded it out nicely.

Leo was admitted to hospital on New Year's Day, with a lung infection that suddenly and dramatically deteriorated his condition, and he passed away at the Upper River Valley hospital in the evening of January 13, 2021, with family by his side.

Leo was loved and known for his kindness, intelligence, broad spectrum of knowledge, woodworking skills, sense of humour and gentle manner (with a little Irish feistiness mixed in) by all who knew him. He is, and will always be, incredibly missed.