Rev. Msgr. Hugh P. Campbell

1934 - 2016

Rev. Msgr. Hugh P. Campbell of Darby, PA Rev. Msgr. Hugh P. Campbell, age 81, passed away at the Villa Saint Joseph in Darby, PA on Sat., Feb. 13, 2016. Born June 2, 1934 in Phila., PA he was the son of the late Hugh P. Campbell and Mary Daly Campbell. He is survived by his brother James Campbell of Ossining, NY and sisters-in-law Patricia (Bierko) and Dolores (Pollich) of Chapel Hill, NC as well as by his cousin Fr. Daniel Dougherty and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas Campbell and his sister-in-law Donna Nyreen. In 1952, Msgr. Campbell graduated from West Catholic High School for Boys where he had served as Editor of the West Catholic High School Newspaper. After graduating from high school, he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Phila. by John Cardinal Krol on May 13, 1961. His First Mass was celebrated on May 14, 1961 at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in West Phila. Following his ordination, he served as an assistant pastor at the Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Media, PA and at St. Agnes Parish in West Chester, PA. In 1971, he was named the founding director of the Newman Center at West Chester University where he ministered to hundreds of students over the next 20 years. In 1986, he was named the founding pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in West Chester, PA where he served for the next 21 years as pastor while directing the construction of a church, a rectory, and a school. He founded the Knights of Columbus Council in the parish and eventually became a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus himself. In April, 1998, he was named an Honorary Prelate to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II and received the title of Monsignor. In June, 2007, he retired as pastor and was named Pastor Emeritus of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish by the Archbishop of Phila. Following his retirement, Msgr. Campbell took up residence in Maryland where he provided pastoral assistance at the Good Shepherd Church in Perryville, MD at St. Agnes Church in Rising Sun, MD and at St. Teresa Church in Port Deposit, MD. As his health began to decline about three years ago, he took up residence at Villa Saint Joseph in Darby, PA where he was able to concelebrate Mass each day and enjoy meals with other retired priests from the Archdiocese of Phila. During leisure moments in his life, Msgr. Campbell had enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake Bay, skiing in the Poconos, and traveling in Europe. On occasion, he enjoyed concerts given by the Phila. Orchestra as well as baseball games played by the Phila. Phillies. The funeral for Msgr. Campbell will be held at the St. Francis Country House, 1412 Lansdowne Ave., Darby, PA on Fri., Feb. 19, 2016. The reception of the body will take place at 9:00 a.m. followed by a viewing until the time of Mass. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA Donations in his memory may be made to Villa Saint Joseph, 1436 Lansdowne Ave. Darby, PA 19023. Mass Cards would also be appreciated. Funeral arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home of West Chester, PA 610.696.1181 www.DellaFH.com