This is the life of Canute Campbell. 

Affectionately called Ken, Kenroy, Whylie, Crockleton, Mr.Cool by all who knew, loved and cherished him.  

Throughout his life, he was blessed with many titles, he was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Ken, as was his preferred nickname, was born on the 4th of January 1951, in the parish of Hanover to Ettaline Hall and James Campbell. The second child of seven siblings. His birthplace was a little district called Morriss.  When he was still in his infancy, James and Etta moved to Sandy Bay which provided the prospect for a brighter future because there were more economic opportunities for better life. 

As a young child, Ken was a spritely fellow - small in built, handsome to boot, and was very active. At the age of 6 years old, he started his early years of school at the then Sandy Bay All Age School where he gained arithmetic, numeracy and literacy skills. As told by our Mother, Setta, he was obedient, was not rambunctious and did not give trouble as boys tend to. He was calmer than and also followed along with his 3 brothers Bobby (Len), Swelly (Elvis) and Keith they would get up early each morning to take out the goats to feed and come back get ready for school and they were never late for school. Setta was very proud of them and would refer to their good behavior when chiding us of wrong doings.

Although Ken was not a troublemaker, there was once a time when his brother Len wanted to kill him. Now do not anyone jump to final conclusions - you would want to kill him too if you were in Len’s shoes. Our brother Len, when he was small, heard a truck backfiring and in his young mind, he ran to his big brother and announced that the truck poop! And he would daily call Len Truck poop! 

Ken was an excellent student. And being able to attend school on a regular basis, (in those days going to school wasn’t very high on some parents agenda as the children would have to go to work with their parents to make ends meet) he was always in the top of his class and excelled scholastically. He loved his mother and had high ambitions for her. Ken would tell on a regular basis, Mama when I grow up, I am going to buy you a big house and a sewing machine and I’m going to give you EVERYTHING! Well, Setta already had a machine so he stayed true to his promise to build her a house instead. He built her the house we are now living in which serves as a family residence.

Ken has a strong passion for sports. He was a natural talent and a gifted athlete. Ken was an all-rounder sportsman as all those in the community could vouch for him. There were weekly games played at the community Centre where if not all, most of the community would be there to cheer on their team or favorite player.  He was very good at cricket and as such he represented his school and the community and the parish of Hanover. Cricket was not the only sport that he played, he also loved and played table tennis, football and he ran track and field. Ken was an excellent runner and only missed out representing Jamaica professionally in 1973. He was unable to fulfill this opportunity because of an ankle injury he sustained during the heats/trials. We were all disappointed because he had worked so hard training only to miss out on fulfilling his dream of representing his community, family, and country. 

Ken was an industrious individual and sought financial independence. His next step in life encouraged him to learn a trade of his choice which in this case was an electrical technician. He loved it, excelled in it, the position was a natural fit for him. As a result, he secured a position working with his teacher. He worked at the same position for several years and then decided he wanted to move on to something new. And a stint at the Parish Council was his next choice. 

He worked in Lucea reading electrical meters for the government for over 21 years.Ken was well groomed in his black pants and white shirt. He was always neatly dressed whether he was going to work or for other occasions, he took pride in how he looked. His appearance was of great importance to him. He also loved to iron and would iron his clothes even those of his lady friends. Ken simply would not entrust that task to no one. Highlighting his ambition, he saved up enough money to purchase the first Honda motorbike in Sandy Bay.

Ken was a chef of sorts and loved to cook. His cornmeal porridge was obviously a hit as it resonated with someone who knew him a long time ago and have not seen him for over a decade. He strongly supported and practiced the vegetarian diet. As our eldest brother, he was the one who would dish out discipline whenever we did not toe the line and believe me, he did. I can remember when our mother would tell me to do my chores but playing was more important than obeying, she would say ‘wait till Ken come!’ When Ken came you could expect a beating, yes, he loved to lick!

Life would have it that Ken would travel to the United States where he met and fell in love with Audrey Parrish, the Joy of his life, up to the time he fell ill. They had one child together - Corey and together they formed a serious bond of love. 

Ken’s life was one filled with many experiences and a promise of better tomorrow. He embodied a mindset that sought to bring out the best in individuals he would meet and a quest to see success throughout his family. Ken will be remembered as a warm, loving soul. We will cherish his memories in our heart and minds, forever!