Obituary of James Albert Cameron

CAMERON, JAMES ALBERT, 85 of Dartmouth, passed away suddenly on February 18, 2023. Born in New Glasgow he was the son of Muriel (Luther) and Wendell Cameron. He was a much-loved Family Physician at Fairview Medical Group, where he worked with his dear friend and colleague Dr. Michelle MacLean, but spoke of you all like you were family. He later spent some time at Worker’s Compensation, and had great respect for his colleagues there, especially Dr. Merv Shaw. A frustrated creative, he surrounded us with the beauty of art and music. He was a student of it all. He bought reams of tickets for the Cohen, Neptune, musical societies, and church concerts everywhere. Sometimes we couldn’t wriggle out of it but were grateful for the experience in the end. He volunteered as a studio live model in John Cooke’s Bedford studio at Ten Mile House in the 60’s, anecdotally musing that he chose John’s painting over Arthur Lismer’s as a reward, as still the best choice. (He looked more handsome in it.) Albert was proud to join NSCAD during the exciting times of the early 70’s as the (then) college doctor at Garry Neill Kennedy’s request: whom he adored. He worked to promote Community Theatre (Upstart Theatre.) He paid tuition and book expenses for anyone who wanted to go…especially for music at Dalhousie or fine art at NSCAD. He himself took Classical Piano with Dean Bradshaw (Fountain School of Performing Arts) in his fifties! And we feasted, didn’t we? Beef Bourguignon for a sit-down crowd of 100, executed with less-than-military precision. A cheesecake from Lindy’s dragged home from NYC. And how many times did we go home with a loot bag full of delicious fresh bread? But mainly his joy was his musical family and impromptu or planned singsongs. Albert took singing lessons at an early age and made “Dougie” come too. He always talked about the long walks to and from Willow Avenue, Cameron Brothers singing the whole way to Park Falls for a swim or up to Mt Thom for a dance. We’re going to miss Al Cameron’s un-checked and joyous laugh. He was generous with it. He is survived by his daughter Allyson McNeil, and son-in-law, Roderick McNeil; sister Janice (Bill) Thomson; beloved brother Malcolm; and sisters-in-law and best friends, Norma (Fraser,) Marsha (Colin,) Janet (Sandy,) Margaret (Stephen.) He had many nieces and nephews who he loved so much (and wanted us to be together.) He is predeceased by his brother Doug and wife Rosemarie; and brothers, Fraser, Colin, Sandy, and Stephen, which he never got over. That Cameron Brother Bond was so strong. There’s no doubt they’re together playing crokinole or a backgammon round-robin right now. Every one of us who knew him has many hilarious stories of misadventures and comradery. Cremation has taken place And to that end, we’re going to have a party this summer – a singsong – at Shore Road and in lieu of flowers, bring your voices and stories. We’re going to have to sing LOUD so he can hear! Cremation has taken place.