David William Camperlino Sr., 57, resident of West Milford, NJ and long-term businessman in Kearny, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on January 14th, 2025, at his home.
David was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Dennis Robert Camperlino and Sandra Ann Camperlino (nee Chapman) on February 14th, 1967. His parents called him “Mr. Heart” not just because of his Valentine’s Day birthdate but because he gave to others before himself throughout his life. He was raised in West New York, New Jersey throughout his childhood. He graduated from Memorial High School of West New York in 1985. He attended Kean University and was a brother of Sigma Beta Tau Fraternity. He often talked of his interest in science or the military. However, he went down a different path after deciding to help his family after they experienced a tragic accident.
David became involved in the family transportation business, Campy’s Express, around 1985. Alongside his late father Dennis, they built and maintained a reputation of quality customer service that lasted throughout, what would have been, 40 years. David started off in mechanics and transportation where he was driving trucks, fixing trucks, loading/unloading containers and performing regular maintenance. After the passing of his father in 2014, David moved into the office to work on dispatching and billing. Into the 2020 decade, David was able to expand more into warehousing where he was able to move and store goods for various customers.
In 1997, David moved to West Milford, where he had and raised three children: Kaitlyn, David Jr., and Jennifer. He had a love for family like no one had ever heard of and made sure to constantly reassure his children that he had their best interest at heart. No matter the work he put in, it was always worth it to him to make sure his children were okay. In 2020, David Jr. had a grandson, Braxton Robert Camperlino. David Sr. was affectionately known as “Papa” who made sure to guide and care for his only grandchild with love, discipline, compassion, and understanding.
Though his central passions surrounded providing for and caring for his family, he developed a series of interests and hobbies that made him happy. David loved to cook and was always willing to try a new recipe that would bring family around the table. He was always fond of rock and metal music, specifically Limp Bizkit, AC/DC, and Puddle of Mudd. David was always into vehicles and passed that interest onto his son and grandson. He had an affinity for things requiring craftsmanship as he could relate to and appreciate the hard work it took to make or build something.
He is survived by his three children: Kaitlyn, David, and Jennifer, with Kaitlyn’s spouse Samuel, and Jennifer’s long-term partner Ramy, his grandson Braxton, brother Joseph, and Aunt Anne. He is predeceased by his father Dennis, mother Sandra, both sets of grandparents Laura, Gerald, Verona, and Clyde, and his uncle Billy.
We will forever miss him, love him, and honor him. Keep on Truckin’, Dave.
Arrangements are at Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny, NJ on January 26th, 2025 from 2pm-6pm with a Private Cremation after. Any donations can be made to help his surviving children at this link: https://gofund.me/d32a10d1
