Harold "Hal" Campion

Harold “Hal” Campion, 90, died peacefully in his sleep, Friday, December 9, 2016 at Brookdale Assisted Living of Ocoee, Florida.  Born and raised in Campbell, Ohio, he was the son of Frank and Rose Campione, next to the youngest of eight children.

Harold served in the Army Air Corps, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida,  where he met the love of his life, Alice Arias. They married in 1949 and, following his discharge from the service, he attended and graduated from the University of Florida, where he earned a BS degree majoring in Physics, Math, and German.  After teaching radar at Keesler Air Force Base in Gulfport, Mississippi for several years and working for the Crosley Division of Avco in Cincinnati, Ohio, for four years, he and Alice settled in Orlando, Florida in 1958 where they raised their three children. Harold was an aerospace engineer for Lockheed Martin for the bulk of his career; his pioneering work focused on introducing solid-state devices into the industry.  He retired in 1979, after more than 20 years of service.

Following retirement, Harold, a lifelong golfer, found his dream job as a starter and ranger at the Grand Cypress Golf Resort.  When he wasn’t on the golf course or watching golf on TV, he could be found volunteering at the Orlando Science Center, cycling, running, and spending time with friends and family. Harold was a devoted Florida Gator where he and Alice attended football games at his alma mater in Gainesville for more than 20 years.

Harold was a loving husband of 63 years to Alice who predeceased him in February, 2013; he was a wonderful father, an enthusiastic and playful grandpa, a loyal friend, an ice cream lover, and a terrific dancer.  He was a devout Catholic, with a quick wit and a great head of hair!

He will be joyfully remembered by his sisters Mary Mazias and Clara Casal, his brother-in-law John Texter, his children and their spouses Alan (Ellen), Barbara (Keith), and Neal (Peggy), grandchildren Lauren, Blair, Alison, and Mia, and his extended family that includes Yolanda and Dan Sparacino, Doralys Arias and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his loving parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George Campion, and his sisters,

Alvira Campione, Victoria Frazinni-Petrella, Theresa Zetts and Vera Texter.  Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 801 N. Hastings Road, with Father Ron Mahon officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Dr. Phillips Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Orlando Science Center.