Hundreds of people arrived at Ahousaht’s Thunderbird Hall April 16 at the invitation of Edward ‘Squeak’ Campbell to share in a feast, and in song and dance, and to unite in a show of support for Campbell and his family.
In 2015 Campbell fell ill and was diagnosed with cancer that was already near end-stage. The married father of two diligently attended his medical appointments, never hearing any positive news on his diagnosis. He chronicled his appointments with specialists on his social media account.
He left his job as a janitor during Christmas holidays, too weak to continue.
His stark reality was that he was often in dreadful pain and losing too much weight. But his requests for prayers were mostly for his wife and daughters. And he celebrated the little joys like the time he gained a couple of pounds.
While he was told by medical professionals that there was nothing left to do but wait, Campbell does his best to maintain a positive attitude. He will post cheerful good mornings, sprinkled with quotes attesting to his faith in the Creator.
Friends and family have been supportive to Squeak and his family in every way.
Life began changing for the Campbell family right around Christmas. Too weak to return to work, the family had no income and there was a large hydro bill to pay. They began selling off their possessions in an effort to pay the bill.
But close family members pledged support and his co-worker, Bonnie Hayes, organized a benefit dinner to help the family out.
The family’s holiday season went as well as could be expected with Campbell making regular trips from Ahousaht to specialists in Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Victoria.
“About two months ago I got called back to Victoria where my doctor told me I had six to nine months to live,” Campbell shared. “I wasn't shocked; I accept my fate with grace and will use the time to prepare daughters, grandchildren and family,” he added.
Campbell says he is thankful for each day he has with his family. “God is with me and to this day I am not afraid,” he said. “I talk to my girls and wife about helping other people after dad’s gone – be caring, loving, forgiving and always help,” he added.
And so, Squeak thought about all the good things people have done for his family and he wanted to find a way to thank them.
“I was laying in bed about a month ago. I was wondering what to do, so I called my sister Darl and Alec and uncle Angus; word went to family it all fell into place,” Campbell said, adding that his heart was feeling a need to do this.
“So much has been done for my family; food donations brought to my home and they helped us out to pay my hydro and I couldn't just sit back. I wanted to thank the community,” he said.
The dinner invitation drew hundreds of people to the Thunderbird Hall. Most family members wore specially-made t-shirts with the logo Nobody Fights Alone – Squeak Campbell.
Following dinner, Squeak made some special presentations, the most special one to his wife, Columba.
“I married Columba 16 years ago in Esperanza and I was unable to buy her a ring so I saved up and bought her a gold wedding ring,” said Campbell. After placing the ring on his wife’s finger, the couple waltzed to the song “When a man loves a woman”, the song they danced to at their wedding.
“Since being diagnosed with cancer, life's become a dream and the reality is each day is a blessing; I tell my children to be loving, forgiving and be angry only for a moment from life's pressures,” he shared.
In fact, his daughter Sheila (who changed her name following the death of her grandmother Ina in 2015, in keeping with cultural beliefs) left school so that she could stay by her father’s side.
“She’s been at every appointment with me and her mother, she’s been a big support,” said Squeak, adding he gave her a gold necklace. Sheila said she would cherish the necklace, always.
The couple’s older daughter Megan has stayed near with her three children, with the fourth due very soon.
A comfortable recliner was brought in for Squeak to relax at the dinner. He would sit and record presentations with his iPad or he would shake hands with people that came to greet him. Sometimes he needed to nap but told people to go right on with the singing and dancing.
Friends and family took turns sharing funny stories about Squeak. At one point Squeak jokingly tried to stop his nephew from telling a story by shouting out, your time is up!
The Swan family brought up another nickname Squeak earned as a child, right after he became a movie star, they said, ‘Good Exercise’.
Campbell made a brief appearance in the 1973 movie “I Heard The Owl Call My Name” filmed in Ahousaht. His single line in the movie was ‘good exercise’.
Speaking on behalf of the Swan family, Luke Swan told his relative that they love him and that he is an inspiration.
“What you put on Facebook, it puts things in perspective and we see you put your faith in God,” Luke said to Campbell.
Alec Dick, standing with his Campbell family, said to his brother-in-law, “Thank you on behalf of our family. It is good to be able to smile and laugh even in tough times.”
Alec went on to recall when his grandson Joseph George Jr. was born and needed a father figure. “You stepped up to be a father figure for him because that’s the kind of gentleman you are,” he said to Campbell, who was smiling ear-to-ear for Joseph and the infant son he was holding in his arms.
Curtis Dick read his uncle a poignant letter written by his sister, who couldn’t attend the dinner. In it she shared that it was too difficult for her to accept what is happening to her uncle. She thanked him for helping her care for her son and for the love they have for each other.
“Uncle’s been nothing but straight forward with us; it’s hard but it helps when you know the straight truth, so we can prepare,” said Curtis. “This is not our choice and we leave it in God’s hands,” he continued.
Special presentations were made to dear family friends and co-workers. Bonnie Hayes, co-worker to Squeak, spearheaded much of the fundraising efforts for the family. She was given a gift and thanked for her thoughtfulness.
Through his work Squeak made a good friend, Rob Chapman. Chapman and another special friend, Greg Louie from Powell River, traveled to Ahousaht that day to share a meal with the Campbell family.
“My friend Rob from Planet Clean is a good friend; Greg Louie from Powell River, who I met in Kakawis Family Treatment in 2000 – these are the people I thank for their friendship, help and support along with the Ahousaht Community,” he said.
The celebration ended with a powerful healing song. Squeak’s chair was moved to the centre of the room and he was surrounded by his loved ones as Ahousaht drummers sang for him and his family.
Thinking back on the celebration, Campbell had this to say, “It made me feel blessed, thankful, that people I never met came for the dinner. I am so thankful for family and friends who, today, still support us.
He went on to say that he didn’t think he could have gotten through some of those difficult times without them.
Late last year someone started ‘The Squeak Challenge’ where people wishing to lift Campbell’s spirits jumped into frigid water and recorded their feat on social media.
“To see friends from years back right from Victoria to the States doing The Squeak Challenge and now they’re coming home for the dinner from places like Campbell River, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Ehattesaht and Tofino; people all over made me want to stand them up and thank them, and serve them a dinner.”
Campbell reminds people to be kind.
“In a world where it’s so easy to be hateful and hurtful, you should love people for who they are and support one another,” he said.
