Matthew John Campanella, Sr.

d. May 9, 2018

Dr. Matthew John Campanella - 95 of Hammonton passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday May 9, 2018. Matt was born and grew up in Hammonton before going off to WWII in the Army Air Corps. He was part of the China Burma India (CBI) campaign which flew over the Himalaya Mountains. During one of his missions, his plane's wings iced up and he and the co-pilot were ordered to bail out. He was lost in the jungles of Burma for 23 days but was eventually rescued by friendly natives. During his service in the military, he received several honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he used the GI Bill to attend the University of Notre Dame where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1949 and Harvard University for a MS in Electrical Engineering in 1950. He married Patricia Bellwoar in 1955 and settled in Cherry Hill NJ to raise a family of 5 children. While working at RCA in Moorestown, Matt continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania where he proudly earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering. He applied for and was awarded numerous patents over the years. In 1967 he moved to Maryland for 3 years, but eventually returned to his hometown of Hammonton. He worked for several companies in the NJ area including General Electric in Moorestown, NJ, from where he retired in 1988. He had a long and active career in the engineering world as a pioneer in the conversion from analog to the digital world we know today. Matt taught night school at Rutgers University in Camden and was active in local politics. He served on the Hammonton town council, zoning board and the parks commission. He established the HHS National Honor Society Alumni Foundation to provide college scholarships for students. He was also involved in the local Catholic Church as a member of many organizations including the St. Joseph's Parish Council, Parish Finance committee, and Senior Citizens. He was a strong advocate for Catholic education. Predeceased by his parents Antonio and Concetta Campanella, Brothers Tony and Bob and sisters Anna Bertino and Sarah Passalaqua. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia, 5 children - Peggy (Mike) Linden, Matt (Anne), Mary Beth (Drew) Pedlow, Kathy (John) Lambert, Robert (Alice) and 14 grandchildren, and sisters Mildred Wuillermin and Grace Campanella. Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing Sunday evening from 7pm to 9pm and Monday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am at Marinella Funeral Home, 102 N. 3rd Street, Hammonton. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish - St. Joseph Church 3^rd & French Streets Hammonton, NJ. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 124 S. First Rd. Hammonton, NJ. Please share condolences: www.marinellafuneralhome.com

Viewing

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sunday, May 13, 2018
Marinella Funeral Home, Inc. 102 N. Third Street Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037

Viewing

9:30 am - 10:30 am Monday, May 14, 2018
Marinella Funeral Home, Inc. 102 N. Third Street Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037

Viewing

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday, May 14, 2018
St. Mary Of Mt. Carmel Parish - St. Joseph Church 226 French Street Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037

Mass of Christian Burial

Burial

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Monday, May 14, 2018
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 124 S. First Road Hammonton, New Jersey, United States 08037

Burial

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Matthew John Campanella, Sr.

d. May 9, 2018

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