Joseph P. Campedelli, 60
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joseph Peter Campedelli, 60, of 77 Bonair Ave. died Monday evening, Dec. 9, 2002, at North Adams Regional Hospital following eight months of failing health.
He was a well-known educator, civic, religious and political leader in Berkshire County.
Born in North Adams on May 21, 1942, son of Richard Nicholas and Josephine "Pep" Bushika Campedelli, he was a 1960 graduate of Drury High School. He also graduated from the former North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) in 1964 with a bachelor of science degree in education.
While at NASC, he was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and was public relations director and vice president of the Student Council. He earned a master's degree in education in 1967 from NASC, and also was awarded a honorary doctor of philosophy.
A teacher, principal and guidance counselor, Mr. Campedelli worked in the education field for more than 38 years. He was head guidance counselor at Drury High School at the time of his death. He had been a teacher in Clarksburg and a teacher-principal at what was then the Florida Consolidated School. In his younger years, he was the North Adams correspondent for the Springfield Union newspaper.
Mr. Campedelli was a member of the North Adams City Democratic Committee for 40 years, joining while in college. He headed the Young Democrats of Berkshire County and was a political operative for many candidates, including former Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, U.S. Rep. John Olver, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and President John F. Kennedy. He was a close confidant of Mayor John Barrett III and attended by invitation the inauguration of former President William Jefferson Clinton.
In 1978, Dukakis appointed him to the advisory board of Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. In 2000, he was honored by Democrats as the Unsung Hero of the Democratic Party in Berkshire County.
He was a past member of the North Adams Youth Task Force and was active on the North Adams Little League board of directors. He volunteered for the North Adams Fall Foliage Parade Committee and was active in Danny Thomas' fund raising drive to fight leukemia. He was a longtime volunteer for the LaFesta Committee.
He was the recipient in 1978 of the Community Service Award from Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion and was also honored with a citation from the VFW as a judge in the National Voice of Democracy competition. He was a longtime member and trustee of the North Adams Lodge 704 Sons of Italy and a member of Lodge 487 of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Campedelli was a lifelong communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church, where he was an altar server, a member of the former St. Aloysius Society and an instructor for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes. He was an avid Yankees fan.
He leaves his wife of 32 years, the former Patricia Ann Baker, whom he married Aug. 8, 1970; a daughter, Jill Marie Laurello and her husband, Ronald, of North Adams; two sons, Joseph Richard Campedelli of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Richard William Campedelli, at home; two sisters, Carole J. Campedelli and Barbara "Honey" Lewis and her husband, Lawrence, all of North Adams; two nephews, Michael D. Lewis and Richard L. Lewis, and aunts, uncles and cousins.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Joseph P. Campedelli will take place Friday, Dec. 13, at 1 at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, celebrated by the Rev. Daniel J. O'Hear, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Eileen Barrett Foundation or St. Anthony of Padua Building Fund through the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.