Norman J. Campana, 88, Decorated Air Force Veteran

Norman J. Campana, 88, a lifelong resident of Haverhill, died peacefully on June 29 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Amedeo and Elvira (Altieri) Campana. He attended local schools and graduated in 1948 from the former Haverhill Trade School. A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served honorably from 1950 until 1954 as a staff sergeant and air frame repairman and instructor. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, the U.N. Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following his discharge from the service he was first employed at Haverhill Sheet Metal.

After receiving his teaching certificate from Boston State College, Campana began his teaching career as a sheet metal instructor at the Haverhill Trade School. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Fitchburg State College in 1973 and later his Master of Science degree in 1978, and continued his teaching career at Whittier Regional Vocational and Technical High School until the time of his retirement in 1989.

A licensed pilot, Campana owned his own plane and in his retirement enjoyed spending time at Four Star Aviation in North Andover. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was devoted to his wife, daughters and grandchildren and enjoyed traveling, especially to his ancestral home in Scanno, Italy.

He was a member of All Saints Parish of Haverhill, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the National Education Association and the Retired Teachers Association, and was a supporter of the Sons of Italy Foundation.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, K. Audrey (Ronan) Campana, two daughters, Mary K. Campana of Newburyport and Lisa M. Campana of Haverhill and granddaughter, Alana M. Murphy of Newburyport. He was predeceased by granddaughter Katie Murphy, brother Edgar D. Campana and Donald A. Campana and sisters Vera M. Campana, Juliana G. Kellom, Iris B. Giconda, and Eleonora M. Campana.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Campagna’s caregivers, Noel Grecia and Campagna’s nephew, Laurence Giconda.

Funeral services were private with a Mass of Christian Burial held July 5 at All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial with military honors in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Angel Flight NE, Lawrence Municipal Airport, 492 Sutton St., North Andover, MA 01845. Arrangements were under the direction of Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill.