On Sunday, November 27, 2022, Dr. Constantine Alberga Campbell, C.C., S.O.M., Ph.D, age 88, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, passed away peacefully, with his wife and two long-time family friends at his side. Known by friends as “Con” or “Conny”, he was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on January 18, 1934. After graduating from Cornwall College (Jamaica) he moved to Canada where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Soil Chemistry from the Ontario Agriculture College of the University of Toronto (Guelph campus) in 1960 and 1961, respectively and a Ph.D from University of Saskatchewan in 1965. Con’s Ph.D. thesis demonstrated that carbon dating techniques could be used to measure changes in soil’s organic matter.
Con worked as a Research Scientist and then Section Head at the Swift Current (Saskatchewan) Research Station (Agriculture Canada) from 1965 to 1997. His research into soil organic matter, over his more than 30-year career, has made dryland farming more productive and sustainable in Saskatchewan and across the Prairies. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan. After retiring Con and Cecille moved to Ottawa, Ontario where Con continued to contribute to his field as Scientist Emeritus with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for several more years. Con’s accomplishments and contributions in agronomy have been widely recognized in Canada and internationally. In recognition of his scientific contributions, in 1997, Con was awarded the Order of Canada, and in 1998, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Research.com currently ranks Con’s citations in the category of Plant Science and Agronomy #5 in Canada and #205 in the world.
Con was a devoted sports fan. His first passion from childhood was cricket. He played cricket throughout his youth and well into adulthood, including in Swift Current where he put together his own cricket team from the surrounding area and made the team a pitch to play on. It was so well made that it got rave reviews in The Cricketer Magazine (England). Con was also a devoted Saskatchewan Roughriders football fan even after moving to Ontario.
“…Your greatest legacy…is the spark you have ignited in the rest of us…You have implanted a part of yourself; your enthusiasm; your love of science, your generosity in acknowledging colleagues, your perseverance and drive, your tenacious curiosity. In doing so, you have left an imprint that will not gather dust on forgotten shelves, but will grow and be passed along by your successors and theirs. Your legacy, Con, is the myriad of people, here and abroad, who have felt the warmth of your scientific and personal vigor. I am proud to be part of the legacy.” [Dr. Henry Janzen, Lethbridge Research Station, 1997]
Con was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Augustine Campbell and his wife (Lilla) Matilda Campbell (formerly Marriott; née Thompson), his sister Mettibel (“Birdie”) Marriott, and his brother Eric Marriott, all of Montego Bay, Jamaica. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 61 years, Cecille Campbell (née Doran, from Kingston, Jamaica); his daughter Constance Campbell-Reid, her husband Colin Reid and their daughter Allegra Reid, of Ottawa; his brother Locksley Campbell and his family: Jolene Campbell, Monique Loland (née Campbell), and Jason Campbell; his sister Edna Marriott; his niece Michelle and nephews Milton and Lionel, and many other loving nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews from the Campbell, Loland, Doran, Chambers, Weise and Marriott families.
We his family and friends have been blessed to have known Con Campbell during his nearly 89 years of life. Thank you, Con, for being a generous friend, a loving husband, a devoted father, and a proud grandfather. May you watch over us as you play cricket inside Heaven’s pearly gates.
A visitation will take place at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON, Canada) on Tuesday, December 13th at 12noon followed by the funeral service at 1pm. Masks are advisable.
Words of condolence to the family may be emailed to: CCampbell-YOW@bell.net
If you wish to make a donation in Con’s name, the family recommends a donation to one of the following organizations: the Alzheimer Society Music Project (contact Melisa at mproject@Alz.to); the Dementia Society – Ottawa & Renfrew County, or a donation to your local Cricket Association.
Digital Guestbook
Ed Gregorich
Roselyn Tekac
Cecile &Constance
Although I cannot be with you at this time,my thoughts and blessings are with you and your family.
Cecile, may God continue to bless you, guide you, and keep you strong.
Love,
Roselyn &family.
Ron DePauw
My memories of Con Campbell extend to my first meeting him in 1978 where he was a soil scientist at the Swift Current Research Centre, AAFC, Swift Current. Con stood out as a very warm, welcoming, and engaging person. He pursed new knowledge relentlessly while being very loyal and honourable with all colleagues. He built a multi-disciplinary team to understand carbon cycling and nitrogen cycling. The new knowledge contributed to the foundation for extended crop rotations, reduced tillage, and reduction in summerfallow. The outcome was enhanced sustainability and productivity of the land.
Con and Cecille welcomed newcomers to the research station and the community. They hosted many Boxing Day parties at their home. Their home would be filled with numerous guests.
God bless you and may you rest in Peace.
Kelsey Brandt
I only briefly knew Con, but any interactions with him were always the most pleasant part of the day. He was a person who instantly made you feel at ease. He will be missed.
Steve Petgrave (Cornwall College Alumni Association- Canada)
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Campbell family, as they mourn the passing of Conny. I never met the man, but knew him vicariously through members of our Association. Everyone spoke glowingly of this giant of a man who touched many lives. May the Lord strengthen the family as they continue to reflect on the wonderful time spent together. May his soul Rest in Peace.
Jason Campbell
On behalf of my dad Locksley Campbell, Conny's brother -
He encouraged me to do better in sports. I remember how he encouraged me to go to University. He always gave encouragement to the younger kids. He came to our home and planted the trees in our front yard and always encouraged us. The intention of his heart was always good.
Uncle Conny also always encouraged me to go to college or university which I will always be grateful for. He was a blessing to us all
Mark & Della Stumborg
Much has been said about Con’s scientific accomplishments, his love of family and wonderful hospitality. We would heartily echo those sentiments. First as a new scientist then as a newly married couple, Con as a colleague and Con and Cecil as a couple welcomed both of us warmly and made us feel as if we not only belonged and were special in our own way but also that we had something important to contribute to the fabric of our professional and personal lives. The wonderful examples you provided will always be gratefully remembered. Rest in Peace Con, you have earned a glorious rest. Mark And Della Stumborg
Tom D Sealy
My sympathy to all family and close friends, it was a great pleasure to have known Con as we play a very competitive game of cricket in Saskatchewan and enjoy great lunches after sometimes Kentucky fried back then. Locksley I am always thinking of you and your family.
Jean-Anne, Wally Nicholaichuk & Family
Thank you Campbell family for including us in this service today! Our memories are too many to count but every one is precious to our whole family. Every Christmas we always remember Con bringing Constance to our place to watch our kids opening their presents. Even before Con was a father, he was a great friend to our children. Playing tag with our kids in the corn field at the Research Station . Teaching Jim how to play cricket which he used well during our two years in India. Memories of playing bridge, curling etc . will always be with us. Cannot forget the time when we planned our freeze-thaw experiments not realizing we had to work through a very cold holiday weekend. Privileged to have a few scientific papers coauthored with Con among his many contributions. Con will continue to be part of our family’s memories now and forever.
Alan Moulin
i will always remember Con’s support and enthusiasm, during my early career in AAFC. His energy and devotion to soil science and agronomy were a great example to me and many other scientists. He always took time to talk about soil science and publications, when we met. His impact cannot be understated. Please accept my sincere condolences.
My sincere condolences to the Campbell family on your loss. I appreciated Con’s scientific intellect and keen interest in all things related to soils. He was always willing to discuss research and help in any way that he could.
Con was a good man. I will always remember him for his kindness and generosity.