Larry Russell Campoli

Larry Russell Campoli, age 71 passed away on August 12, 2022, at Bayfront Health Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by his loved ones, following a month of medical complications from a kidney infection and strokes.

He was born July 6, 1951, in Dover, Morris County, NJ to Lorenzo A. Campoli and Jean L. (Goodenough) Campoli and was the eldest son of four children. They were part of a large Italian family with a heritage in Dover going back to his Campoli grandparents who immigrated in the early part of the 1900’s from the mountaintop village of Veroli, Italy. His mother’s family had a long history in the next town, Mine Hill, coming in the 1800’s from Wales and England.

Following graduation in 1969 from Dover High School, Larry always wished he had made the short drive to New York state to attend the Woodstock Music Festival, and loved the music of the 60’s. He graduated in Accounting from County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ and received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bloomfield College, NJ in 1975. He later again attended County College of Morris to receive a degree in Computer Science in 1980. At the time, his vision to utilize computers in the field of accounting was considered a new frontier.

While an accountant for the Morris County Employment and Training Administration (CETA) a federally funded employment program, in 1976 he hired Elaine Conklin as his assistant and in a few years, they were married on November 25, 1978, in her hometown of Whippany, NJ. Together they learned to keypunch computer cards, Larry learned computer languages for programming, all unfamiliar in our present day of technology.

Larry worked in accounting and computer reporting for JB Williams, Cranford, NJ and then started his life’s career in Manhattan in the Wall Street district with Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust Bank, later to become Chemical Bank, and after Larry survived a total of 7 mergers, became JB Morgan Chase Bank. He loved the challenge of the fast-paced corporate world and accepted the long commute from suburban New Jersey to the World Trade Center. After witnessing the nearby destruction on 9/11/2001, he relocated to new corporate headquarters in Jersey City, NJ. It was time to get out of the city.

They enjoyed a relaxed country life raising their children in his mother’s family home in Mine Hill, NJ. Larry was an involved father of their beloved children, Cara Lynn Martha, born in 1983 and Jonathan Russell, born in 1986. He was active in the Recreation Committee, as a soccer coach for boys and girls while he taught himself the sport. He served as a cub scout leader, and encouraged both children in their soccer, basketball, and long-distance running events. Larry proudly served with a few good friends, for several years elected to the Board of Education in Mine Hill, NJ fighting to make a difference for better public education.

In later years, looking towards eventual retirement, Larry transferred in 2007 to JP Morgan Chase’s Tampa, FL office and they made their home nearby in the active golf community of Highland Lakes in Palm Harbor, FL to be close to Elaine’s elderly mother as well as Larry’s aging parents, all in FL. Following retirement by age 60, Larry taught himself the game of golf and excelled, playing normally five days a week but always walking the course. This was his time to commune with nature and make solid friendships. He enjoyed close relationships with colleagues in the community for 15 years.

Larry was an active leader in his retirement community bringing technology improvements. It was often said Larry brought Highland Lakes into the 21st century. During the last several years he held the position of Treasurer of the Highland Lakes Men’s Golf League, the Tree Hitters Golf League, The Grill Masters Group and Vice President of the Highland Chefs Club. He had been proud to serve for five years elected to the Board of Directors of Highland Lakes Homeowners Association, a volunteer position he took very seriously to direct the financial future of the large resident community. They enjoyed a large group of friends at social gatherings throughout the years.

Vacationing was always important to Larry and Elaine as they selected new places each year to travel either on cruises, trips throughout the US and many other destinations such as in 2019 to Italy, to meet relatives. Plans were being made for a last tour of Italy and other European countries. Larry wanted his children to expand their horizons and experience the world. He was a health-conscious, quiet, gentle man, often opinionated but loved by many for his intelligence, wisdom & dry humor. He was known to make himself laugh even before getting to the punchline. Larry was dedicated and committed to his family and community, will be dearly missed. He was a true Jersey guy and never in Florida did he find a bagel or slice of pizza as good.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine F (Conklin) Campoli, of Palm Harbor, FL, daughter Cara Lynn Campoli (Derreck) Heritage and toddler grandson Axel, of Jersey City, NJ; son Jonathan R. Campoli, of Los Angeles, CA; his parents Lorenzo and Jean Campoli, of Port St Lucie, FL, sister Linda (David) Kubert of Port St Lucie, FL, brother Joe (Lisa) Campoli, of Budd Lake, NJ, brother Jim (Alison) Campoli, of Mendham, N); sister-in-law Diane (Conklin) (Jay) Plaisted, of Winston Salem, NC; Aunt Marianne Goodenough, of Wind Gap, PA, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and old friends. He is predeceased by his mother-in-law Eleanor Rae Conklin (August 4, 2022) and father-in-law George A. Conklin (1993).

In Larry’s home state of New Jersey, a chapel and graveside service will be held at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery, 77 Deforest Avenue, East Hanover, NJ on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 11:00 am to coincide with the service of his mother-in-law, Eleanor Rae Conklin. Larry’s Florida Memorial Celebration of Life was held on August 27, 2022, at 12:30 pm followed by a luncheon in the Auditorium at the Highland Lakes Homeowner Association, Palm Harbor, FL.

In Larry’s memory, donations can be mailed to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016 or www.kidney.org/donation, to influence kidney research. Additionally, a memorial bench has been donated for the Highland Lakes golf course that he so cherished.