Justin Aaron Campana became our Angel on November 6, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife, Francesca; son, Cole; daughter, Celeste; brother, Cory (Vanessa), niece, Sophia; parents, Debra and Kyle. Sister-in-law, Crista (Derrick); nephew, Daniel; niece, Grace; brother-in-law, Gianni (Melissa); niece, Alexa; nephew, Roman. Mother and Father-in-law, Donna and Joe Petruccelli; and friends who were like family; Cameron Brunette (Sarah), Shane Norman (Holly), Jim Newman (Cristy).

Justin was born in Elk Grove Village, IL on June 9, 1984, but moved to St. Petersburg, FL at 6 weeks old so he was raised as a Florida boy through and through. He was a natural athlete who grew up playing soccer, baseball and rollerblading and even learned to snow ski while on vacation at the young age of 3, but his greatest joy came from water sports: fishing, diving and boating. By the time he was 12 years old he’d already saved up enough money to buy a John boat and would ride his bike to his grandparents’ house in Yacht Club Estates where he could take it out on the water. He was a hard worker from the start; as a teenager he made and sold fishing lures, mowed lawns, and worked at McDonalds in his free time to earn money to fund his passion for boating. At the age of 16 he not only took a job at Albert Whitted airport but took flying lessons, got his pilot's license and flew the single Cessna. He graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 2002 and was introduced to the marine business at Central Marine where he was hired to wash boats, but soon worked his way up in the business and learned the mechanics of the outboard motor. With this he found his true passion and he never left the marine mechanic business; however, his entrepreneurial nature pulled at him and in 2015 he started a new business with longtime friend Jim Newman. They were very successful at buying and selling outboard motors and beyond being business partners they were friends who loved each other like brothers. In 2014 he married his soul mate, Francesca, and they welcomed their son, Cole in 2017 and Celeste, in 2020. He was a devoted husband and father and he and Francesca enjoyed boating, spending time with family and friends and raising their babies together.

Less than one month after Celeste was born, he began having persistent sinus infections that were resistant to antibiotics and steroids, so his physician ordered a stat CT scan. The scan showed a mass in the sinuses and the worst fears were realized as it was diagnosed as malignant stage 4 cancer and had metastasized. For a year Justin courageously endured agonizing treatments - surgery, countless rounds of chemo and radiation. Over the summer of 2021, things were hopeful as the scans revealed favorable results and he was feeling better. But in September, he started experiencing new symptoms and it was discovered the cancer had spread to his brain and spine and was no longer treatable. His final weeks were spent at home surrounded by his family and friends. The night before he passed away, although he was nonresponsive, an impromptu gathering was held in his honor. Justin’s wife, parents, and best friends surrounded his bedside and shared funny and heartwarming stories from the past that brought great joy amid sorrow. The pain of losing Justin is immeasurable and he is missed more than words can express. In his life on earth, he quickly earned the respect of anyone who knew him because he was stubborn, strong and tough, yet generous and humble with a sweet soul. In his death, he will continue to be respected and loved and he will live on through the lives he touched so deeply.

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