John Robert “Bobby” Campbell

Middle Falls, NY- John Robert “Bobby” Campbell, affectionately known to many as “Sunny” or “Sunshine,” passed unexpectedly on April 26, 2025, at Saratoga Hospital. He was 77 years old.

Born in Troy, NY, on December 29, 1947, to John Joseph Campbell and Phoebe Mildred (Rifenburgh) Campbell, Bobby spent the majority of his life in Johnsonville, NY, before moving to Middle Falls for the past 11½ years.

He is a graduate of Hoosic Valley Central School in Schaghticoke, NY, Class of 1966.

Bobby proudly served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War, initially as a welder/mechanic and later as a cook and kitchen supervisor.

In April of 1966, he joined the Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Company (JVFC), where he would dedicate 35 years of active service. After returning home from the service, Bobby continued his dedicated service with the JVFC, rising to the position of 1st Assistant Chief under Chief Bryan Warren. His commitment culminated in his role as Fire Police; he was a familiar sight to many whenever he wasn’t working. He could even be found working at the fire company’s food booth at the Schaghticoke Fair every Labor Day.

In 1969, Bobby began a 45-year career at the Manning Paper Company. Throughout his time there, he witnessed numerous company name changes and held various roles within the mill, eventually settling in the shipping department. He was so dedicated that he could even be heard muttering order numbers in his sleep!

He loved collecting antiques by going to yard sales, estate auctions/sales, or antique shows; had been an avid outdoorsman for many years; was a major John Deere enthusiast/collector, he loved doing jigsaw puzzles. Above all, Bobby was a proud father, brother, uncle and friend. He would clip newspaper articles on Christy and Meghan’s sports events, smiling ear to ear as he did.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Cheri and her son Christopher-Bryan (Jeremiah Batteas); his daughters Sarah Elizabeth (Rik Trudeau) and Darrian-Elis "Dee" King; his close friend, Elizabeth Gauthier and her children Bryce Lynch and Kiera Seney; his sisters Barbara (Gary) Squires, Beverly (Paul) Reiter; his nieces and nephews, Christy (Bill) Dunn, Michael (Anduena) Squires, Meghan Harder, Scott (Courtney) Reiter, Jayson (Daryl) Reiter, Chad (Alisha) Reiter, his great-nieces/nephews, Sophia, Lucy & Nala Squires, Riley & Caleb Dunn, Jayson Scott Reiter, Justin Bogt, Derek Reiter and Elizabeth Reiter, his fur baby, RockyGirl; his "gran-cats", Angelus Michael Campbell-Trudeau & Melly Moo King; and his "gran-pup", Cobain "Cobanicus" King. Although Sarah was his only biological daughter, he loved and cherished Cheri's daughter, Darrian-Elis "Dee" King as his own.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his son, Matthew Jacob Campbell.

Special thanks to both his ex-wife, Cheri King and his daughter, Sarah for caring for him for the last 6 months.

Visiting will be on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 9:30am-10:30am with remembrances at 10:30 at Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main Street, Schaghticoke. Procession will leave funeral home at 11:00am for committal service at the Saratoga National Cemetery at 11:30am with military honors.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00pm at the Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Company, 5 River Road, Johnsonville. Please feel free to bring a dish to share.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Company in loving memory of Bobby Campbell.

Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com