![]() | J. Michael Campbell | ![]() |
| This article was published in the Charlottetown Guardian on October 19, 1923. The shadow of gloom was cast over the community of Elmira and surrounding districts, when the word had gone around that J. Michael Campbell had passed to his eternal reward. Though his demise was not unexpected it was quite a shock to relatives and friends. Mr. Campbell had been ailing for some time past and his death occurred on the 19th of September. He was fortified by the rites of the Holy Catholic Church administered by his pastor Rev. Father Ronald McDonald. Mr Campbell was very popular with all classes: of a cheery disposition and always willing to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy and possessed of that undefiable gift of readily winning and retaining friends. Michael as he was familiarly known to his friends, was an employee of the C. N. Railways previous to and subsequent to the Great War. In July, 1915 he responded to the call and enlisted in the 98th Siege Battery and went overseas with that unit. He was wounded in July, 1916 in France and was invalided in England. After recovering from his wounds he returned to France and was afterwards badly gassed which was the direct cause of his passing away at the age of 30 years. He received his discharge from the army in May, 1919, having served his country for 4 years. The funeral which took place on the 21st of September under the direction of the Knights of Columbus of which order he was a valued member was the largest ever seen in the community. Attending the funeral were a great many of his comrades-in-arms who watched wirh bowed heads all that was mortal of their comrade and friend, being laid to rest in the shadow of St. Columba's Church, there to await the final Reveille. The funeral mass was chanted by Father Ronald McDonald, assisted by Father McMahon of Souris. Father McLean of Souris assisted in the choir while Father Theodore Gallant presided at the organ. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mrs. Campbell in her sad trial. Also to the deceased's relatives. The floral tributes were many and beautiful and the many spiritual bouquets attested to the esteem in which Mr. Campbell was held. The pall bearers were Capt. J. M. McEachern, Wallace McVarish, Stephen Keefe, Joseph McAulay, Aeneas P. McPhee and Andrew F. Campbell, all members of the Knights of Columbus. R.I.P.
Copyright Waldron H. Leard |