Obituary of John Keith Cameron

John Cameron

It is with great sadness that the family of John Keith Cameron of Eureka, formerly of Westville, announce his passing on May 20,2024, after a brief illness. John was born in New Glasgow and raised in Eureka. He was schooled in Stellarton and graduated high school as the Valedictorian for the very first graduate class at the new West Pictou High School. He married Barbara (nee Connors of Westville) in 1962, moved to Montreal and welcomed twins, Heather and Terry into the world. Moving back to Pictou County, they soon welcomed Shelley and then Robbie to complete the family. He worked for Clark Tire, Scott Paper and then was part of the first employees of the new Michelin Tire plant in Granton. As this was the first Michelin plant in North America, the young family relocated to France and Holland for a year of training. Upon their return the family settled in Westville where John had a great career eventually becoming the Manager of Safety and Security at the Granton Plant. Safety and Security would become a lifelong passion and in the mid-90s he decided to leave Michelin and start doing Safety and Security as a consultant. His highly regarded work took him all over North America, working with some high-profile corporations. In recent years he passionately worked with SSI Consulting doing projects with them, teaching courses and doing WCB consulting. He was especially proud of his recent work with The Mentoring Plus Strategy where he could impart his years of experience with a younger generation. He was recently appointed to the Nova Scotia Workers Compensation Board. This was an extreme honor as he saw it as cumulation of his life’s work. Johnny worked right up until shortly before his illness, most recently consulting with the nursing staff at Valley View Villa. It was not work for him; it was his passion. In 1997 John lost his wife Barbara to cancer and then became reacquainted with Judy Hayman, who had also suffered a recent loss. Judy and John have been together since, living in John’s cherished childhood home in Eureka. Together they have travelled the world going to some of their dream destinations and celebrating their children and grandkids in all their endeavors. They crossed the continent twice by car, RVd from BC To Alaska and visited Europe several times as part of school trips, hockey trips etc. John lived for his grandkids, if there was something special in their lives, he was there. His pride and love for all of them will live with them forever, as he was their biggest champion. He was a good athlete growing up and loved the outdoors. The camp with the boys was one of his favorite places where some great stories were created and retold. He loved riding his ATV and would often jump on it at home and run up to the brook in the fields behind his home. Ever since he was in Air Cadets as a boy and got a flight in a PBY Catalina, he always dreamed of flying and spent many hours in different models of airplanes and eventually bought and flew a powered paraglider so he could fly with the birds. He loved fishing (especially ditch fishing) and hunting but years ago he exchanged his rifle for a camera. His stunning wildlife and wildflower photos adorn many of our homes. He was funny, silly, kind and humble. A role model to all who knew him. He loved his work, he loved his life and most of all he loved his family and friends. He will be truly missed but will never be far. We all are better for knowing him.

He is survived by his loving partner Judy Hayman ,his daughter Shelley, her husband Todd Field and their children Madison (her partner Benjamin), Thomas and Caleb Field, of Oakville, ON; his son Rob and his wife Tanya and their children Alexandra and Dylan Cameron of Ottawa, ON; his grandson Chase Bowden of Charlottetown PEI. Judy’s son John Hayman, his partner Shelley, of West Lock AB, her daughter Bonnie Vienneau (Bruce-deceased) Kitimat BC and her sons David, his partner Alice and their son Oscar and Craig, his partner Misty and their daughter Charlee, and Frank Hayman and his children Campbell, Frankie Jean and Luke of Stellarton, NS. His sisters Irene Jacobson (Jack-deceased) of Burlington ON and Betsy Keay (Richie) of Riverton NS. His brothers Sandy (Susan) of Stewiake, NS and Jimmy (Marilyn) of Pictou Landing NS. He is predeceased by his father Elbridge and mother Della, his wife Barbara (1997), daughter Heather and her son Joshua (1987), and daughter Terry (2002) and her daughter Katrina (1987).

Visitation will take place at the Eagles funeral home in Westville on Friday May 24th from 1-3pm and then 6-8pm. A small family service will be held on Saturday with his ashes to be interred at the Auburn Cemetery in Westville. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Stellarton Fire Hall on Saturday July 20th at for all who would like to come to celebrate with us.

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