Basil Campbell Obituary

MILLINOCKET, Basil E. Campbell Sr., 101, passed away on July 14, 2025, at his home. He was born June 27, 1924, in Washburn Maine the son of Herbert and Della Campbell.
Basil started his mechanic career at Katahdin Motors in Millinocket. He then moved to Portland and worked as a mechanic in the foreign auto division of Wolf Ford. But from an early age it was clear he had an entrepreneurial spirit and realized the state was short of foreign auto mechanics. So, while in Portland, he became the owner and operator of Campbell's Flying A gas station and Foreign Car Service. Later upon his return to Millinocket he started B.E. Campbell & Son's Foreign Car Service. He also spent many years working for the Millinocket Public Works, during which time he was instrumental in helping to get the Union into the Public Works Department. In his later years, during the summer while camping at Wassamki Springs campground in Gorham, he managed facilities maintenance for the campground, but it wasn't long before he started fixing the occasional golf cart and camper and eventually opened a small engine repair shop which he brought back to Millinocket to finish out his career.
In his free time he enjoyed tinkering in his workshop and garage, going camping, watching the Red Sox and driving his moped around town until he was 90. He loved spending hours talking with his friends and family over breakfast at Ruthie's Restaurant where they would often try to stump him on Millinocket history. Basil was always quick with a joke and made time to listen to his Great Granddaughters stories. He worked hard for his family, and was a kind and generous person. Basil was the type of man who was always first to step up and help out when someone was in need.
Basil is survived by his two sons, Basil Jr. and his wife Sally Campbell of Gray, Bruce Campbell of Portland, two grandchildren, Rick Campbell of Gray, and Keith Sparks of Gorham, as well as two great grandchildren Emma and Abby Campbell, his sister Donna Malone of Millinocket and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents Herbert and Della Campbell, his wives Mildred Campbell and Dorothy Campbell, his daughter Duska Campbell-Hansen, one grandson Ernie Sparks and his siblings, Earlin Campbell, Glenna Burrell, Alta Holt, and Phyllis Bither.
The Campbell family would like to thank all the great people of the town of Millinockett who have influenced and enriched Basil's life over the years. We would also like to extend a very special thank you to the following individuals that helped Basil throughout these last years, Donna and Elwin Malone, Lynn and Dan Bernard, and Dicky Harmon, we could never express our gratitude enough.
A graveside service for Basil will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, beginning at 2:00PM at the Millinocket Cemetery in Millinocket, ME., with the Rev. Reggie Adams officiating. To share condolences and memories online visit www.bowersfuneral.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Basil, please visit our floral store.