We've Lost John

John Campbell, long-time director of, and dancer in Nordlys has passed away Tuesday morning. Those who knew him were well aware of his love for folkdance, and particularly Scandinavian dance, as well as Irish dance, and his great willingness and desire to share that love and interest with others. We will miss John greatly. His spirit and love of the music and dance go on, however.

I would like to invite all those who knew John, and would like to do so, to share their thoughts either here, or on the Nordlys Dancers Facebook page. If you want to share photos there as well, those would certainly also be welcome. I will add a retrospective page here as soon as I can find time. (I'm very busy with work and school now, and it's difficult.)

Danny Hathaway, who, along with his wife, Joan, friend, Bill Martin, and Bill's wife, Nancy, used to play music for Nordlys years ago in the early days, has composed a dance tune, a reel, in honor of John, titled "Big John Campbell's Reel." (We'll see if we can figure out a way to share the tune while respecting Danny's rights.) He is working on the dance "Sean (Campbell) Mor" to go with it, and Betsy Branch has recorded the tune, hoping to share it with John before his passing. We didn't make it, here on Earth, but I'll bet John is kicking up his heels to it, there in Dancers' Heaven.

Stay tuned about word of an upcoming ceili in celebration of John's life, once arrangements are made.

"The graveside ceremony will be Mon Oct 17 at 10 am at:
Park Hill Cemetery
5915 E Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver
360-693-1562
All are welcome.  Please share this with John's friends." - Becky Nielsen