Welland Museum is honoring the memory of a cherished, long-time board member by dedicating a gallery in his name.

The Wayne Campbell Gallery will be dedicated on Saturday, March 22, when a gathering and ceremony is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the museum. The dedication ceremony is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m.

Mr. Campbell passed May 15, 2024, aged 75.

In addition to Welland Museum, he was affiliated with other community organizations over the years including Crime Stoppers, Central Station Education Initiative and the St. Kevin Soup’s On! committee, with whom he served as treasurer several years.

Retiring in 2012, he had been a reporter and editor at The Tribune and Pelham News and previously at several other newspapers in Ontario and British Columbia.

A “hometown boy” through and through, Mr. Campbell with his wife Blair could be seen in attendance at many local events as proud boosters of Welland life and culture. They went “where the action is” he was fond of commenting, referring to events like concerts on the canal, food festivals, parades, history and heritage celebrations and sports competitions like the Tribune Basketball Tournament.

“To the Welland Museum, Wayne was more than a board member. He gave of his time and knowledge so generously,” the museum board said in a statement following his passing.  “Wayne’s insight and encouragement often helped us solve difficult issues or provided us with the details to make a good exhibit great.”