Obituary - Paul S. Campanella Sr.

Paul S. Campanella Sr., 82, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at Northern Montana Care Center.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Wathen officiating.

Paul's family has requested that memorials be made in his name to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Paul's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at whttp://ww.hollandbonine.com.

Paul was born on Nov. 26, 1932, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Salvatore and Laura (Paul) Campanella. He was raised in Buffalo, graduating from high school there. At age 12, Paul began working and living on his own driving cab and other odd jobs to get by. Paul entered the U.S. Marine Corps in the late '40s and served his country faithfully during the Korean War until his honorable discharge.

After he was discharged, he married Leanore "Lee" Dinger, and their union was blessed with three children, Paul, Mark and Cathi, and his step-daughter JoAnne.

He worked as a cab driver, a control tower operator and the Newport News, Virginia, police force.

Eventually, Paul moved his family to California, where he remained for 40 years, working for Monumental, Universal and Paramount studios as a set painter. Paul and Lee later divorced, but remained friends until his death. Paul loved his job, especially working with the movie stars and going on location to different states and countries.

During one of his trips to the Philippines, while filming "Apocalypse Now" he met Belinda Farin, whom he married, and their union was blessed with three children, Marvin, Sam, and Laura. Paul and Belinda also divorced.

Paul moved to Havre in 2011, and remained here until his death.

Paul liked to attend the Bingo Men's breakfast, listening to Mass music, and visiting with his friends at Northern Montana Care Center, entertaining the residents, teasing, dancing, and singing, especially Italian songs. He loved the CNAs, nurses, food servers and personal staff.

He adored his family, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was treasured time, indeed.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore and Laura Campanella, his brother Anthony Campanella, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his daughters, Cathi (Stan) Campanella-Martin of Havre and Laura Campanella of Huntington Beach, California; his sons, Paul Campanella Jr. of Missoula, Mark (Angie) Campanella of Helena, and Sam (Erin) Campanella of Santa Clarita, California; his stepchildren, Jo Anne (Tom) Mercado of Corona, California, and Marvin (Lorna) Campanella of the Philippines; his six grandchildren, Curtis (Jordyn) and Chad (Taya) Stratton, and Kody, Kasey, Rachael and Blake Campanella (with one soon to be born); his two great-grandchildren, Chazliynn and Knaeryn Stratton; his sisters, Adeline (Dan) Bryan of Imperial, Missouri, and Janice Hill of Ventura, California; and his brother, Anthony Campanella of Nevada.

Paul's family appreciates the attention and care you gave to our father to make his last days peaceful.  He will be watching all of us from above.