A dedication to family, community and sport

Adrian Campbell was born  on March 9, 1970 in Halifax, NS.  He died in October, 2008, six months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.  He left behind a loving wife, three young sons, and a life well lived.

Adrian lived his childhood and adolescence in Windsor, NS.  After completing a BSc at McGill University in Montreal and his law degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, he settled in Kentville, NS where he practiced law with Taylor MacLellan Cochrane Law for 13 years.  He believed in chasing one’s dreams and taking chances at “Going Big”. Prior to beginning his legal career, Adrian cycled one summer in Belgium to assess his chances of riding professionally. 

Adrian had a passion for competition and participated in numerous sports throughout his life – hockey, skiing, baseball, swimming, golf, body-building, and wind-surfing. He eventually focused foremost on cycling and running.  He competed locally, provincial, nationally and internationally in  triathlon, duathlon, marathon, team and individualized cycling and running events.

Adrian believed strongly in living with purpose and enjoying the process. He had an infectious smile and gentle laughter.  He traveled numerous times to compete at the international level for duathlon and participated in the world championships  in France, Cornerbrook, and Italy.   He was team captain in Italy and competed at the Elite level.  He was most proud of some of his local successes - particularly the Hantsport Arnold Robertson 2 Miler, which he won six times from 1999-2006.

Adrian believed in tradition and sportsmanship.  He received his first sportsmanship award at the age of 7 and continued to be recognized as an exemplary sportsman throughout his athletic career.  Triathlon Nova Scotia has established an Annual Sportsmanship award in his honour.

Adrian believed in giving back to the community.  He was a minor hockey coach,  director on the Kings Meadows Foundation for the mentally challenged; he helped establish the Windsor Regional High School Scholarship fund.  Adrian made time to give encouragement to others and believed strongly in the value of sport in developing character and self -esteem. Throughout his life, Adrian encouraged others to seek health and fitness through sport.

First and foremost, Adrian was committed to his family and friends.  Nothing gave him greater joy than swimming or playing soccer or hockey or biking with his boys and wife, family and friends.  Adrian enjoyed the camaraderie of group rides, the pleasures of family afternoons, and the fun and competition of sport.

At the beginning of his Grade 12 year, Adrian wrote the following declaration to himself – found among his papers following his death.  The values he spoke of were those he had lived by and continued to live by throughout his life.

“I, Adrian Campbell, hereby declare an oath to myself in which I promise to use my time wisely. I will not be lazy or immoral. Everything I do will be of long range or short range benefit. I will never waste time. I will be the best I CAN BE MIND, BODY, SOUL.  I will put forth my greatest energy no matter what I take on. I will not put others down or cross my friends. Enemies are that. I WILL NOT CHEAT MYSELF OF MY LIFE.”  (September 4 , 1987).

Among Adrian’s Accomplishments (1970- 2008)

1978/79 Windsor Minor Hockey Sportsmanship Atom Trophy
1982 Spryfield Lions Club Pee Wee Tournament - Baseball
1983 South Shore Exhibition Baseball Championships
1985  1st Place: Shand/Sam Slick Bicycle Classic
1985  MVP Brookfield Tournament
1988 West Hants Warriors Outstanding Sportsmanship Award – Midget
1990 McGill University Ball Hockey Champions
1994 2nd Place Nova Scotia Cycling Championships – Senior Men
1995 Nova Scotia Cycling Championships – Senior Men Road
2000 Calais Duathlon
1998 Nova Scotia Cycling Championships – Senior Men Provincial Championships
1998 World Duathlon Germany
1999 1st Place Arnold Robertson  2 Mile Race
1999 3rd Place Beazley Memorial Open
2000 Chicago Marathon
2000 2nd Place Lunenburg World Heritage 5 km open
2000 1st Place Arnold Robertson  2 Mile Race
2000 Nova Scotia Cycling Senior Men Provincial Championship
2001 1st Place Arnold Robertson  2 Mile Race
2001 3rd Place Lunenburg World Heritage 5 km open
2001 Nova Scotia Cycling Championships –ITT Provincial Championship
2001 Remini Italy World Duathlon Championships
2002 1st Place Arnold Robertson 2 Mile Race
2002 1st Place Beazley 6 Mile
2002 1st Place  8 Hours of Martock -  Cyclesmith Team of 2 males
2002 Provincial Road Racing Championship
2003 1st Place Arnold Robertson 2 Mile Race
2003 2nd Place Beazley 6 Mile Open
2003 Boston Athletes Association-107th Boston Marathon
2004 1st Place Arnold Robertson 2 Mile Race
2004 Bluenose International Marathon
2005 Bicycle Nova Scotia Veteran Men’s Points Award- recipient
2005 Nova Scotia Cycling Championships – Provincial ITT Championship
2005 Bicycle Nova Scotia Provincial Road Championship
2005 St. George Tri Fest Canadian Long Distance Duathlon Winner –1st Male 35-39
2005 Wolfville Classic Stage Race
2005 1st Place Beazley 6 Mile Road Race
2005 2nd Place Arnold Robertson 2 mile Race
2005 1st Place Bicycle Nova Scotia Road Series – Masters  A
2005 1st Place Male Navy Trident’s Race – Duathlon
2005 9th Place Valley Harvest Marathon
2005 Bluenose International Marathon 
2006 1st Place Arnold Robertson 2 mile Race
2006 Bicycle Nova Scotia Cycle Cross Provincial Championship- Master Male
2006 3rd Place Beazley 6 mile Road Race – Male Open
2006 8th Place Valley Harvest Marathon
2006 Blue Nose International Marathon
World Duathlon Championships – Canadian Team –France, Italy (Team Captain ), Cornerbrook
HSBC Triathlon Series
Cyclesmith Big Tide – Big Ring
Nu Body’s Bedford Days 5 km