August 18, 1947 - February 19, 2019
Colin was born in Maple Creek, SA but raised in the West Kootenays here in BC. His young life took him to Calgary, Penticton and then to Kamloops where he stopped for 14 years. There he met the love of his life and his best friend Jane Campbell, whom he married in 1973. Colin started his career in Financial Planning with Manulife in Kamloops with a couple of years off to run his own business selling cash registers and office supplies. After 12 years of marriage and the arrival of their son Sean they moved to the lower Mainland for 8 years. Colin continued in Financial Planning for a short time until he realized he didn't know enough people and went to be the Manager of a retirement home for Christian Scientists for 6 years. In 1995 the decision was made to move to Cranbrook and open his own office known today as Guidance Planning Strategies. He was blessed to have had two wonderful partners during that time, Larry Johnson and Karla Graff. Colin and Jane resided in Cranbrook until Colin's passing ending a wonderful marriage of 45 years.
Colin was raised as a Christian Scientist by his mother and grandmother. He was a member of the Mother Church in Boston Massachusetts for 53 years.
Colin was very active in supporting his community, he believed strongly in giving back. He was introduced to Rotary at the age of 8 when his Step-Father's Rotary Club in Fruitvale BC hired Colin to mow the lawn at the Rotary Park. His Uncle Jimmy told him someday, someone will ask you to join a service club and the only answer is "yes". Colin developed that idea to the point that in Rotary when you are asked to join that is your last chance to say no. He had been a Rotarian for 41 years. Colin helped to build 3 clubs, was president of 2 and the closest to his heart was the Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook. His biggest project while a member was being the chairman of the "Champions on Ice".
Colin was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for 35 years where he served as Worshipful Master in Cranbrook and was a supporting member to his wife Jane in the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Patron for 5 years.
He volunteered and supported many programs of the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association and the Key City Theatre. Two of his largest community undertakings were being the Chairman of the Canada Cup of Curling in 2011 and the Co-chair of Cranbrook's bid for Kraft Hockeyville.
Colin was a devoted and involved father participating as a baseball coach, Beaver, Cub and Scout leader and most importantly, good friend to his son Sean.
He and his best friend Jane were joined at the hip. If he was ever anywhere other than work without her the question always was "Where's Jane?" They enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, woodworking and travelling together. . Colin was an accomplished pianist and often played in their home for Jane. He came close but did not complete his bucket list goal of visiting all the National Parks in Western North America. They had so much fun together
He was a frustrated golfer, an avid fly fisherman, a prolific flytyer, a very talented carpenter, a knowledgeable and well-read history buff and a prolific writer.
One of his greatest joys was sharing his experience with other people. Many young business persons in Cranbrook benefited from his mentorship. Of all the titles Colin held "Friend" was his most treasured.
As Martin Luther said: "I don't worry about the shouting of the violent, corrupt people, the dishonest ones, and the lack of ethics: I worry about the silence of the good people!" A good person went silent on February 19th.
Colin was predeceased by his mother Evelyn Leckett and his father William Campbell. He is survived by his wife Jane Campbell, his son Sean Campbell (Lisa Neshine) of Lethbridge and his half-brother Alan Langford of Toronto as well as many, many cousins and an army of friends.
A celebration of Colin's life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday March 16th at the Colombo Hall in Cranbrook, BC. The family ask for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to the Rotary International Foundation as this was Colin's favorite charity. See any Rotarian to make your donation.