Antonio Campelo
1926 - 2016
Antonio Campelo was born on September 3, 1926 in the old section of Habana, Cuba to Spanish immigrant parents from the region of Galicia, Spain. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Estela, two sons Jose (Tony) and Jorge, daughter-in laws, Jackie and Monica, and four granddaughters, Noelle, Brittani, Alyssa, and Sabrina. He fled Cuba’s communism and human rights oppression in 1966 for Spain with his oldest son Tony, sadly having to leave behind his wife and youngest son, Jorge. After enduring refugee struggles for several months he was granted a visa to the United States where he settled in New York City. Two years later the family reunited in New York and lived there until 1996 when they moved Matawan, NJ.
He earned a Masters degree in Accounting from Universidad de la Habana and was a licensed Public Accountant. He served in the roles of auditor, accountant and comptroller in banking and financial services. In Cuba, he rose through the ranks of auditor to become lead auditor at Banco Nacional de Cuba (equivalent Federal Reserve Bank) and later the youngest comptroller of Banco de los Colonos before communism dismantled the Cuban economy and society. In the US, he spent several years working up to three jobs at a time to support his family; commonly, he left his 9-5 job and continued his work day at accounting firms and doctors’ offices late into the nights and weekends. Principal early employers in U.S. included Dupont brokerage, Israel Discount Bank, and Chase Manhattan Bank. He got his break with a start-up financial services company, First Inter Americas Corporation, as Comptroller. Thereon he reestablished his professional career serving various executive roles at American Express, Continental Illinois Bank, and Bank of America. As an international executive, he had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe and Latin America. After retirement, his experience and skills were a cornerstone in helping his youngest son grow an accounting practice.
Antonio and Estela loved to travel and could often be found in Canada and up and down the east coast between their New Jersey and Miami homes so they could spend time near each set of grandchildren. He used what he had to help others through philanthropy and financial assistance. He supported education and while the sons were in college he’d frequently drive up to 8 hours each way to their school to tutor with accounting homework. He was a man of dignity and decency, following rules and a firm believer that hard work leads to success. He passed on these legacies to his children. His dream was to live to see his granddaughters graduate, succeed, and get married, as he testified at each Thanksgiving dinner.
He passed away on October 16, 2016 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ surrounded by his loving family and will be dearly missed.
Calling hours will be held at the funeral home from 1pm to 10pm on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30am Friday, October 21, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 251 Franklin Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Entombment will follow at St. Gabriel's Cemetery & Chapel Mausoleum, 549 Route 520 (Newman Springs Road), Marlboro, NJ 07746.

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