Former Bearcats goalie part of a team raising money for PSP researchPublished Jun 09, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 5 minute readShayne Campbell is pictured with his dad Bruce last year after completing a half-marathon in the Valley. Bruce passed away in September and Campbell is running in this year’s New York City Marathon, on Nov. 2, to help raise money in the fight against the disease that claimed Bruce’s life – progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Photo by ContributedFor Shayne Campbell, running became an activity of solace as he coped with the pain and fear of his dad Bruce’s quickly deteriorating health. Now, he runs in memory of his dad, and to help raise money in the fight against the rare disease that claimed Bruce’s life in September of 2024. Campbell, a former Truro Jr. A Bearcat goalie and assistant coach, will run in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 2 as part of Team CurePSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). He talked about how running went from being a small pastime to something more significant in his daily life. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I ran when I was forced to for hockey (off-ice conditioning) so, over the past five to 10 years, I did it part-time to help stay in shape,” Campbell, who played for the Bearcats in 2012-13 after an Ontario Hockey League career split between Ottawa and Sarnia. “Last year, I was tuning up for a half-marathon when things started to go sideways with my dad and I found running was my out – my coping mechanism,” Campbell, who now lives and works in the Truro-Bible Hill area with his wife Holly and their daughter Maisie, said. “It was a lot of early mornings out running and, from there, once I did the half-marathon and enjoyed it, I figured I would keep on running, sign up for a full marathon,” he said, a reference to having done the Fredericton marathon recently. “I kept in touch with Team CurePSP and they have supported me through everything. They started to give me fundraising ideas.” Article contentOriginally from Glace Bay, Bruce and his wife Paulette had made Bible Hill their home after years living in Ontario. Campbell talked about how his dad’s PSP was originally diagnosed as Parkinson’s back in 2020. “Then we noticed things progressing much quicker than they typically would with Parkinson’s,” he said. “Working with a neurology team out of Halifax, that is when we were told they don’t think it’s Parkinson’s, they think it PSP. “So that is when the research began; what is PSP? That’s when I came across Team CurePSP out of New York. They sent me pamphlets and information galore. They do a lot of weekly calls, caregiver calls, those types of things; they were very supportive throughout it.” Sadly, it wasn’t long after the true diagnosis before Bruce passed. “By the time we found out, he passed just a few months later,” Campbell said. “We found out at the end of July; they said he might have a couple of years left the way he was presenting. We brought him back to Truro and he had a major heart attack that night. So, we ended up back at the QEII (hospital in Halifax). Article content“He pulled through that, was in the ICU for about 10 days, and was only back home for about two weeks when we received a call from his family doctor who was looking at his blood work. He thought he might have multiple primary melanomas. So, back to Halifax at the hematology unit and they said, yes, on top of PSP, he had the rarest, most aggressive form of multiple melanomas as well. “They figured too, having the heart attack, sped up the PSP. It affects the brain and everything like that. We received that information on a Thursday and he was gone by Saturday night.” Truro Bearcats goalie Shayne Campbell pictured during his playing days with the Truro Bearcats versus the Summerside Western Capitals. Photo by Photographer: Ryan TaplinSHARED PASSION FOR SPORTS Campbell talked about his dad growing up a hockey guy and that some of his fondest memories are of his dad driving him to the rink, whether it was for a big game or a 5 a.m. practice. “He always made sure I was ready to go,” he said. “And even through my years of playing junior hockey, when he was able to, he was always at the rink,” Campbell said, adding it was hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer, and not only for him and his dad but also mom Paulette, who was an avid supporter. Article content“Whether I was playing (starting goalie) or backing up, he was always there to chat with me after games. And even if he wasn’t there, we would always make sure we were texting. “That was the same right up until the time he went into the hospital for the last time. We still texted every day and chatted. One of the hardest things to overcome is not having my lifeline there anymore.” Goaltender Shayne Campbell pictured celebrating a Bearcats’ championship with his dad Bruce |(left), Bruce’s good friend Ken Tracey (third from left), and billet Steve Patton and his son Cam. Photo by ContributedPLACE IN NYC MARATHON Campbell’s spot in the NYC Marathon was confirmed in March. Since then, he has raised almost $1,400. “I finalized it in March after just finishing running the marathon in Fredericton which I kind of used as a kickoff,” he said. “I launched the fundraising page, so now it’s just going to work fundraising for them this summer until the lead-up of the NYC Marathon in November.” Campbell said there are nine runners for Team CurePSP taking part in the NYC Marathon. He talked about the course which is famous for having runners weave themselves through the city’s five boroughs. Article content“It’s a little bit hillier than Fredericton would be, primarily because of the bridges,” Campbell said. “It’s a neat race. You start on Staten Island and, on mile two, you take the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn. Then you run through Brooklyn, up through Queens, and then there is another bridge going into the Bronx. Then you do one or two streets in the Bronx, back over the bridge into Manhattan, through Manhattan, and finish in Central Park.” Fredericton was Campbell’s first full marathon, and he clocked a time of two hours and 49 minutes – good enough for fifth place. He also has a goal of running the Boston Marathon next April, so he’ll be keeping a close time on the qualifying time for that event. “From there, I’ll play it by ear; probably do one a year at least,” he said. “And, maybe, just a half-marathon in there as well so I’m not putting too much wear and tear on my already broken body,” he added with a chuckle, referencing the sometimes-painful reminders leftover from competitive hockey days. Article contentThese days, Campbell remains a part of the Bearcats as an assistant general manager to general manager James ‘Barbs’ Barbour. Barbour talked about his one-time player, now a management colleague and friend. “I had the pleasure of meeting and coaching Shayne when he was a player with the Truro Bearcats in 2012-13. I’ve since had the opportunity to work with him, both of us being members of the Truro Bearcats coaching and management staff,” he said. “Shayne is always willing to volunteer and help others. I’ve seen his dedication to others first-hand and through his work with hockey youth in our extended community. Shayne has a big heart and truly believes in helping people. He’s a good man, and I wish him great success with this.” Article content
Campbell running NYC Marathon in memory of his dad
