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Robert CAMPEAU Obituary
Passed in peace at his home in Ottawa on Monday June 12, 2017 in his 94th year with his loving and devoted wife, Christel, by his side. Beloved father of Rachelle, Jacques, Daniel, Robert JR, Giselle and Jan-Paul. Proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Campeau and Lucie Ranger, and three brothers and three sisters. Robert was born on August 3, 1923 in Chelmsford, Ontario (near Sudbury). His early education was in Sudbury and he later received Honorary Degrees from the University of Ottawa and Laurentian University in Sudbury in recognition of his significant accomplishments. Robert had a life-long career as an entrepreneur and real estate developer forming his construction company, Campeau Construction Company Limited in 1953. The company soon became known as a quality builder building over 25,000 houses in addition to a number of apartment buildings in the National Capital Region and across North America. Robert's initial vision of residential land development quickly expanded to the development of commercial land and shopping centres. These include such notable buildings in Ottawa as Place de Ville and in Gatineau Les Terraces de la Chaudiere and later branching out to Toronto which included well known developments such as Scotia Plaza, Harbour Castle Hotel (now Westin Harbour Castle) Harbour Square condominiums and Waterpark Place office complex. Commercial development complexes were completed in San Francisco and California and residential and commercial complexes in Texas and Florida. Later, Robert's vision expanded to acquiring retail organizations consisting of speciality stores and shopping centres located throughout the United States. His hard work and achievements were recognized when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2006 NAIOP REX Awards – Real Estate Excellence. Robert continued to follow with keen interest and enthusiasm the present day approach to real estate development trends in Canada. He devoted much of his time to philanthropy efforts through his Canadian and U.S. Family Foundations. Robert was an avid swimmer, skier, golfer, fisherman and hunter. Robert believed his good exercise regime was the key to his long and healthy life. Friends may attend at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to offer condolences to the Family. The Funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. followed by a light lunch in the basement of the Cathedral. The burial service will be at 2:00 p.m. at St. Isidore Cemetery, 1135 March Road, Kanata. Special thanks to Dr. Wiens of the Royal Ottawa Hospital and Dr. Gerrizen of the Civic Hospital for their care and concern towards Robert. Furthermore, many thanks to the caring staff of We Care Health Services for their dedication and professionalism with special acknowledgement to Vania for her compassionate care of Robert. Heartfelt thanks to Father Plant for showing kindness and support to Robert. Memorial donations in Robert's name can be made to The Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation or The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be made at
www.arbormemorial.ca/en/kelly-carling
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
25 Entries
CHARLES CANDLER SADLER
April 23, 2025
mr. campeau enjoyed working in your stores at the Gardens Mall in Florida. GOD BLESS. CHARLES CANDLER SADLER.
zelechowski leon
June 13, 2018
sincères condoléances Léon de France
Elena Richmond
August 28, 2017
Christel and family, I am so sorry to hear of Robert's passing. I grew up in Dunrobin, but went to school in Kanata. From a young age I knew who Mr Campeau was, and what he had done for the Ottawa area. It wasn't until the early 2000's that I was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of working with him but I always held him in highest regard. He was tough but fair in our dealings, and I count myself very lucky to have had the chance to know him. I remember very well I got caught in a rain storm en route to a scheduled meeting with him, and he made sure to put me in my place for it!
I hope his passing was easy, and that his family may be comforted by the great respect so many of us Ottawans, Ontarians, and Canadians have for him.
August 21, 2017
A long farewell to Robert Campeau
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On your 85th birthday
Marilyn Orpano-Flores
August 9, 2017
I have read a book about you at a Kanata Public Library years prior to being an employee. Never have I expected that I was going to work for you and it was by chance. You have the most powerful handshake that I ever felt, the most generous person I have known and one of a kind person. I would remember you as the smartest guy on earth with a charismatic personality. Rest in peace Mr. Robert Campeau. Condolence to his family and friends.
June 23, 2017
Dear Christel and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane Gillieson
June 22, 2017
Paulette Campeau
Ivica Dukanovic
June 22, 2017
Our sincere condolences, from the Teron family and ours, two great builders in the heart of Ottawa.
David De Souza
June 20, 2017
I have always admired The Robert Campeau story.Im a small builder/developer in Toronto and Florida.I went through bad times when Mr.Campeau went through them in the early 90s.Mr.Canpeau was my hero ,he showed us all hard work,courage and drive will allow you to succeed.In my opinion he was one of the greatest self made men in Canadian history and he was A GREAT CANADIAN.May he rest in peace.
June 20, 2017
Our sincere condolences from the Carmen Cardamone family
The Kingsbury Family
June 20, 2017
Dear Campeau Family,
Sincere condolences on the loss of Mr. Campeau.
I had the great, good fortune to grow up in a close-knit, large family in a Campeau home in Bel-Air Park in Ottawa west, which my parents purchased around 1957. These were the " wonder years" and Robert Campeau didn't just build houses, he built homes and communities. Our parents, the late Clay And Rita Kingsbury, told us fabulous stories of the goings-on when Bel-Air park was being built. When the houses were still new the ground was still not landscaped and there was so much clay in the soil that the rain created a sticky mess, so much so that on arriving home from work the men would all park their cars on an empty lot at the top of the street, and Mr. Campeau arranged for a tractor with a flat bed to take them down the street to their homes. Our parents were in their Campeau home on Checkers Road for 50 years, and as others have said, you rarely have trouble reselling a Campeau home - ours sold before the sign went up. What a great legacy Mr. Campeau hast left. May he rest in peace, and may your memories bring you comfort.
Ian Gillen
June 20, 2017
My condolences to the Campeau family
I worked in the finance department for Campeau Corporation from 1980 to 1985 on Baseline Rd. While I was there Mr. Campeau needed a clean, well-dressed man to chauffer him to 24 Sussex to meet Pierre Elliot Trudeau for a meeting one day. I fit the bill for him, and Mr. Campeau was extremely polite, courteous and a well-spoken individual to me during our drive. On another occasion, Mr. Campeau called and wanted the same individual to drive himself and Mrs. Campeau to the Governor Generals residence for the 7th G7 Summit of 1981 at which time they met, two leaders, Prime Minister Mrs. Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan. Again the drive was very pleasant, both Mr. & Mrs. Campeau were very polite and courteous towards me.
Mr. Campeau made me feel honored to be a substitute driver for him. I will remember those special days of my time at Campeau Corporation. I admired Mr. Campeau.
May he rest in peace.
Denis L. Riopelle
June 19, 2017
Mes sincères condoléances à la famille, nous nous souvenons toujours de nos parents. Mon père jouait au club de golf Rivermead et de temps à autre avec M. Campeau. J'espère qu'ils ce rencontrent de nouveau pour une partie de golf. Mes sympathies à Jacques.
Al Dharsee
June 19, 2017
A remarkable pioneer who left lasting real estate landmarks in Canada
Jocelyne Gleeson
June 19, 2017
Mes sympathies à la famille. I have very fond memories of the time I worked for Campeau Corporation from 1976-1986 before they moved the head office to Toronto. Rest in peace.
Antonio Falbo
June 19, 2017
So sorry to hear of the passing of Robert Campeau. He was a good man! I worked for Campeau Corp for many years. My condolences to the family.
Antonio Falbo and family
June 19, 2017
A la famille de mon'oncle Robert...
Nos plus sincères condoléances.
Que les ames des fidèles défunts reposent en paix.
Par la miséricorde de Dieu.
Amen
Léo et Karole Larivière
(fils de Christian et Colette de Hanmer, ON)
Giovanni Falbo
June 18, 2017
I worked for Bob for over 34 years and he was a great leader and mentor to me, very supportive of his employees
Bob could also be a tough negotiator as we got to know him better
I met Bob for the last time for lunch in 2006, Bob was 85 at the time, at Noah's Restaurant in Minto Place, Ottawa
Bob was still talking about developing land at our lunch, he loved doing that stuff
May you rest in peace, Bob
My deepest condolences to Bob,s Family
Giovanni Falbo and Family
Gita Kzell Pearl
June 18, 2017
My late Father, Norman Kizell, had professional dealings with Mr Campeau, primarily selling him land in the '50's. He always spoke of Mr Campeau with great esteem for his business acumen.
Sincere condolences to his family.
June 18, 2017
Mr. Campeau
You have made Sudbury very proud. God Bless and rest in peace.
Jean Gilles Brisebois
June 17, 2017
I renovated 100's of his homes in the area called Qualicum ... Baseline and Greenback. After so many years 40 plus, I can tell you that I have never encountered homes built so square, level and structurally sound. He employed thousands of people including my father and helped put Ottawa on the map making it one of the best cities in Canada. He was a visionary, an underdog and I hope that history will consider him one of the most successful Franco-Ontarians and one of the greatest developers in Canada's history. He motivated me in my early career .We have lost a great Canadian but his success will continue to inspire me.
My sincerest condolences to Mr. Campeau's family and friends.
Terry Smith
June 17, 2017
I read about Mr Campeau on Bourque Newswatch. What a fascinating life, and an incredible pedigree.
Bon courage, sir, and rest in peace
Bob Publicover
June 17, 2017
I am grateful to have lived in a Campeau built home in Elmvale Acres - a neighourhood that Mr. Campeau created.
He built quality products and left a lasting legacy.
Bob Publicover
June 17, 2017
My condolences to the Campeau family.
I grew up in Ottawa and lived in a brand new Campeau built home on Fanshaw Avenue in Applewood Acres. I have very fond memories of that home, and growing up in Rideau Park. I recall that the hardwood floors were problem at first and the Campeau Company came in and replaced them. My parents were very pleased and impressed with this service. I delivered papers to the Campeau residence when they lived near my home in Rideau Park. Mr. Campeau was also a significant supporter of the Cradle Hockey League in Ottawa. I met him a few years ago at a banquet celebrating the Cradle Hockey League. I mentioned to him that i grew up in one of his homes and said it was great hours he replied " I know." He was a builder of both homes and lasting legacies, started, as the story we knew, when he arrived in Ottawa from Sudbury with $8,000 and a dump truck.
Bill Reid
Ottawa
Marc Wigle
June 17, 2017
Rest in peace, Mr. Campeau. I would have loved to have met you. Your quality homes and other buildings will always be a testament to you and your company. My girlfriend's mom still lives in her Campeau-built home on Hamlet Road, one of the first houses Campeau built there in the mid 1950's. I'm sure that he was proud of the fact that sellers of his homes still advertise "Built by Campeau". My sincere condolences to the family.
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