David A. Campanella

David A. Campanella age 84 of Hammonton, NJ passed away Friday October 31, 2025.

He was born on August 31st, 1941 at the Hammonton Esposito Home and was raised in Hammonton, NJ. He would always talk about his fond memories of living down the lake, swimming, fishing, and peddling on his bicycle boat. In the winter, when the lake would freeze, Dave enjoyed ice skating across the ice. Dave was a hardworker from day one. He learned to drive a car at age 8 so he could drive the family truck around on their farm where they grew blueberries, raspberries, chestnut trees, and grapes. He was an entrepreneur from the start, renting his 2 row boats for $1.50 an hour or $2.50 for a full day. Dave worked with his father and brother doing carpentry work from the ages of 9 to 16 years. But as he said: "Dad knew that I was not going into the carpenter business. I wanted to work on cars and trucks." At age 14, he learned how to overhaul an engine and from then on he fell in love with fixing cars. He graduated from Hammonton High School in 1960; he was also apart of the FFA (Future Farmers of America). He joined the Hammonton Police Reserves (8 years) and was also working at White Hall Labs (10 years). He continued doing his mechanic work at nights and on weekends. Later on, David also joined Army Reserves at Fort Dix with 469th Engineers (6 years). He also had the ESSO Gas Station with his brother and he eventually started his own business, Dave's Transmission Shop, on Washington St., which he continued to run for 24 years. After that, David started working for the Hammonton Public Schools doing custodial, maintenance, grounds, and completing work on buses for inspections. He was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor and eventually became the Facilities Director until his retirement at age 78. He was an incredibly dedicated worker, serving the town he grew up in. Dave knew everyone in town and was always the type to take the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Dave was a girl dad - raising 6 daughters during his lifetime. He enjoyed collecting model trains, hats, and rocks that he would display around his yard. He loved to garden and always made sure his yard looked beautiful. Dave will always be remembered as a selfless father, husband, and friend. He will be missed incredibly.

David is predeceased by his parents John and Grace (nee Roman) Campanella and his daughter Catherine. Dave is survived by his wife Antoinette "Toni" (nee LaTorre) and his children Lisa Kendall, Joelle Campanella (David), Jill Callahan (Mike), Jesse Daub (Michael), Jodi Campanella (Bob), and Lauren Campanella (Jay). Brother John "Jack" Campanella. Loving grandfather of Shannon Lockhart, Joseph Kendall (Jackie), Jordan Callahan (Lizaveta), Frankie Callahan, Megan Baur (Billy), Franki Morrell, and John Morrell. Great Grandfather of Levi, Meadow, Charlotte, Lucy, Alice, and Elliott. As well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 6-9pm on Wednesday November 5, 2025 at the Marinella Funeral Home 102 N. Third St. Hammonton, NJ 08037. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10am on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish, St. Joseph Church, Third and French St., Hammonton, NJ 08037. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 124 S. First Rd. Hammonton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave's memory to the Hammonton Cancer Foundation.