James Campobello, 96, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026. Born on July 2, 1929, in Rockford, he was the son of Riccardo and Virginia (Fiorentino) Campobello. A graduate of West High School, Class of 1947, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Floriculture from the University of Illinois in 1951. He served in the Army during the Korean War and married Patricia L. Johnson on March 5, 1955. Patricia predeceased him on September 19, 2002.
James worked at Sundstrand until his retirement in 1991. A longtime member of Bethesda Covenant Church, he served as a deacon, trustee, chairman of the Flower Committee, and in the Tape Ministry. He was also past president of the Men’s Garden Club of Rockford, a member of the Moose Club and the Northern Illinois Botanical Society, and volunteered at Klehm Arboretum.
He is survived by his daughters, Rev. Catherine Campobello, Constance (Daniel) Thompson, Laura (John) Sutkay, and Diane (Gary) Ringler; grandchildren Christina Tolson, Angela Barrett, Lisa Potts, Anna Jones, and Jake Upshaw; great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and nine siblings.
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