BRUNSWICK – Campbell Niven, former publisher of the Times Record and longtime Brunswick civic leader, has died at the age of 78.

The Boston native and Bowdoin College graduate died Monday night at Mid Coast Senior Health Center.

Niven presided over the 1967 merger of his family’s two newspapers, the Brunswick Record and the Bath Daily Times, that created the Times Record.

Niven retired as publisher in 1997 and was succeeded by his son, Douglas. The newspaper, which has a circulation of 11,500, was sold this year to Sample News Group.

Survivors include Niven’s wife, Elizabeth, and their sons, Douglas and Andrew.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and her husband, former Maine Gov. John R. McKernan Jr., issued a statement of condolence upon learning of Niven’s death.

“Today, we all mourn the loss of one of Maine’s beloved community leaders,” they said. Niven’s “legacy will be felt by anyone who opens the Times Record to start their day. We all share in the sorrow of his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and their sons, Douglas and Andrew.”

A celebration of Niven’s life will be held May 10 at the First Parish Church in Brunswick.