Governor-General Achievement Awardee 2000 for Clarendon, Daniel Campbell.
LIFE WAS difficult in the early World War II years, particularly in deep rural Jamaica which was the background setting for the life of Daniel Campbell, a man who persevered through hard work in trying circumstances.
Born February 6, 1940 to Emmanuel and Amy Campbell of Fullerton Park, St. Ann, he was the last of 15 children. From as early as age nine, he was forced to drop out of the Eccleston Elementary School to work with his father, a small farmer.
While still a youngster he learned several trades, including tailoring and shoemaking to supplement the family's income. By 14, he was apprenticed to a contractor where he also learned masonry, carpentry and plumbing.
From 1963 to 1970 he worked in the US on the farm workers programme as a cane cutter. On returning to Jamaica, he got involved in construction.
However, realising the importance of education, he also tried to improve his level of literacy at the Sunday School of the New Testament Church of God.
In 1982 he started his own business, Max Glass Shop and Hardware Limited in May Pen, which has since grown to employ 24 people.
Life's hard lessons have sensitised Mr. Campbell to the needs of the disadvantaged in his community and so his greatest satisfaction is serving others, he said.
He has held prominent posts in the church and is a Sunday School teacher and vice-president of the National Men's Fellowship.
He is a member of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and the May Pen Committee for the Infirmary. He has supplied material and labour to paint the Manchester Avenue pedestrian crossing in May Pen and has generously supported other community projects.
With his wife, he regularly imports clothing and other personal effects from the US to distribute to the less fortunate.
His first wife is deceased and his second wife, Veronica, supports him in business and community service. There are six children from both marriages -- three have already graduated from the University of Technology.
