When his cancer went into remission 20 years ago, Rob Campbell renamed his boat Seastheday.
During his chemotherapy and long hospital stays, his mantra was carpe diem (seize the day). He became determined to make the most of every minute of the time he had left to live.
The former Sudbury resident, now living in Killarney, changed the direction of his life and pursued interests on his bucket list, things he didn’t make time for previously during his career as a provincial government bureaucrat, father of three and a community and church volunteer.
Now 64, Campbell is a prime example of how someone can successfully transition into their retirement years and discover new ways to find purpose and connection, something that can be challenging after years of routine.
“I’ve changed my life. I’m not sure I have changed as a person. I have always been into giving back, staying active and keeping involved in my community,” he said.
Campbell was 57 when he retired from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) in 2018.
“In the Ontario government, when your age plus years of service equals 90 you can retire with a full pension,” he said.
As a young geology graduate from Laurentian University, Campbell was hired by the province and held a variety of positions with various ministries.
At the time of his retirement, he was director of marketing and transportation with MNDM.
His career was interrupted for almost a year in 2005, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). He was off work for seven months and spent much of the time in hospital undergoing chemotherapy for bone and blood cancer.
After putting life on hold for almost a year, he was at a mid-life turning point. His children, who were now young adults, were leaving home, and his marriage of 20 years ended. Still ambitious, he moved to Toronto and took a position as director of finance with the Ministry of the Environment.
But his heart remained in the north. An outdoor enthusiast who grew up camping in the summer and downhill skiing in the winter, Campbell has always loved the opportunities available in northeastern Ontario.
He kept his boat at a marina in Killarney where his sister, Peggy, lived.
She introduced him to her friend, Jen, who became his second wife. By coincidence, Jen’s father was the original owner of Campbell’s cabin cruiser.
In 2016, the Campbells bought a house in Killarney and have spent several years rebuilding it.
His advice for people starting retirement: “When you first retire, take some time for yourself to adjust to a new life of not going to work every day, but then take a part-time job or volunteer.
“Try different things. You can join lots of organizations that need volunteers.
Pick one or two and see if you enjoy them or not. If you don’t, move on.
“Keeping social is a key thing. I spend a lot of time with family and friends at the marina.”
Since his life and death health scare, Campbell has made an art of living well.
Later this month, the Campbells are travelling to Newfoundland with a group of friends. An Alaska cruise is planned for 2026.
They also make a trip to Australia every two years to visit his daughter, Erica, her husband and two grandchildren.
For five years after retirement, Campbell drove a school bus, taking Killarney students to Sudbury and bringing them home.
“At the age of 62, I became a certified firefighter,” said Campbell, who is “on call” 24/7 for local emergencies.
He is the town’s volunteer fire chief and last year he started a volunteer Coast Guard auxiliary. He is serving his first complete term as a town councillor.
In his spare time, the former government senior manager, who is used to plowing through paperwork and dealing with thorny issues, keeps in shape by cutting the lawn at the Killarney Mountain Lodge.
“There is lots to do to help out the community and to keep your mind and body active,” he said.
Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer and Rob Campbell’s cousin.
