Patrick Campbell, a former Irish Echo columnist and an author of a number of books, has died in New Jersey at the age of 92.
Campbell, a Donegal native, penned the popular "Campbell's Scoop" column in the Echo for many years.
His obituary states: Patrick Campbell, 92, passed away peacefully on May 15th, 2026, at his home in Jersey City, NJ.
Born on January 14, 1934, in Dungloe, Donegal, Ireland, he was the youngest of eight. He worked as a "Tunnel Tiger," building hydroelectric generation in Scotland with other Donegal men, before going to America.
Patrick was a storyteller and writer his entire life, with his work always focused on looking into history to tell stories that may have been forgotten. He wrote over 10 books, including A Molly Maguire Story, an account intended to restore the reputation of his grand-uncle, Alec Campbell, a business owner in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, at the time of the Molly Maguires coal miners’ union.
Alec Campbell was wrongfully hanged, and as a result of Patrick's writing, he was exonerated by the State of Pennsylvania. Patrick also penned Death in Templecrone: An Account of the Famine Years in Northwest Donegal, 1845-1850, which is credited as a key historical work that uncovered many stories of how the victims of the Great Hunger were impacted across Donegal during the famine years.
addition to his writing, he had a 35-year career as an executive at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, retiring in 1996. Patrick also attended college at night and completed both his undergraduate and master's degrees in English at Rutgers University.
Patrick was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Helen “Nellie” Eileen Campbell, daughter Nora Fitzpatrick, son-in-law Trey Fitzpatrick, and his grandchildren Joseph, Nellie, Timothy, Genevieve, and Daniel. He was predeceased by his son, Patrick, and his brothers and sisters, Bridget Mary, Catherine, Annie, James, Bernie, Theresa, and Rose.
Family and friends are invited to the visitation at Riotto Funeral Home, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 17, from 12 to 4 p.m.
Funeral Mass is Monday, May 18, 11 a.m. at Saint Aloysius Church, 691 West Side Avenue, Jersey City, Burial will follow at North Arlington Cemetery (Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum), 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ.
