Leonard Sargent Campbell

Leonard Sargent Campbell, 91, of Torrington, CT, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2022, following a period of declining health.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Mary (Flandorfer) Wilford Campbell; children: Belinda Labourdette & husband Peter of Dover, NH, Andy Campbell & wife Kathy Ann of Winsted, CT, Cooper Lloyd and husband Jimmy of Winsted, CT, Carrie Campbell & husband Simon Pritikin of Shoreline, WA, Warren Wilford & wife Maggie of Harwinton, CT, and Monika (Wilford) Kraus & husband Rick of Harwinton, CT; grandchildren: Nicky Labourdette, Alex & Connor Campbell, Jasmine & Olivia Pritikin, Joanna & Wayne Wilford, Nicholas, Jessica, & Rebecca Kraus; and much extended family.  He was predeceased by brothers Robert, Edward and Leslie Campbell and sisters Nancy (Campbell) McLeod and Marie (Thresher) Streeter.  

          Len was born in Ware, MA on January 16, 1931, to father J. Walter Campbell and mother, Myrtle I. (Andrews) leaving to attend the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) graduating with a BS in Landscape Architecture (LA).  He joined the Army and was stationed in the territory of Alaska to guard the Russian border as the Korean conflict was winding down.  He had many fond memories of his time there.  He returned to school earning his Masters in LA from UMASS and a certificate in City and Regional Planning from MIT. Upon graduation he worked for the State of KY D.E.D. Dept of Planning and Zoning getting his pilot’s license to fly himself to meetings around the state.  While working as the Hamden, CT Planning Director and living in Morris Cove, CT, he met close friends and his first wife, Nancy (Bassett) Campbell.  He worked as the Project Planner for the Seacoast Regional Plan of NH & ME, Regional Planning Agency Coordinator for the CT Development Commission, Executive Secretary for the Community Council of Northwest CT, Executive Director of the Litchfield Hills Regional Planning Agency, Landscape Designer for Hoskings Nursery, and finally, as the Plymouth, CT, City Planner before retiring.  

          An Eagle Scout, Len believed in government participation and community service. Over the years he and his wife worked at the polls and spent countless hours reviewing legislation involving lead paint and property rights, sharing their research with legislative committee members in both MA and CT to ensure balanced regulations.  He belonged to numerous professional organizations over the years including most recently the CT Property Owners Association as past-president and member, the Massachusetts Rental Housing Association Governors Advisory Committee Lead Poison Prevention Program, and the CT Mobile Manufactured Home Advisory Council as councilmember since March 2000.    

          Len and his wife enjoyed researching their family genealogies and meeting distant relatives identified in the process.  A longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Torrington, CT, he attended when he was able.  He was a kind man with a ready smile who did not waste time on complaining.  He loved to problem solve, spend time with his family, ski, swim, and sing.  Thankfully, he had a lovely tenor voice when it cooperated.  We are grateful for his example.

          The family would like to thank the staff at the West Haven VA for their support and the doctors, nurses, techs, custodians and security personnel at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the Hospice staff of Hartford Hospital for the care and compassion exhibited to both Leonard and the family during his final days.

          Funeral arrangements are being planned for the summer of 2023. 

          Memorial donations may be made to VA CT Healthcare System and mailed to: West Haven VA Medical Center, Attn: Voluntary Services, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516, or Meals on Wheels, 88 East Albert St., Torrington, CT 06790.

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