John Alexander Cameron

John Alexander Cameron

May 26th, 1951 – January 24th, 2023

John Alexander Cameron passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Sechelt Hospital on January 24th, 2023.

John was born in Garden Bay, British Columbia on May 26th, 1951 and was the second child to William and Muriel (Wray) Cameron.  John graduated from Pender Harbour Secondary in 1969 and went on to live his entire life in Pender Harbour.  He met Cynthia (Atkinson), in 1974 and they were married the following spring in 1975.  They built their dream, forever home on the south side of Francis Peninsula that same year and welcomed daughters, Devon and Catherine, a few years later. 

John grew up on the ocean and followed in his father’s footsteps to become a commercial fisherman like many other members of the Cameron family. John harvested roe on kelp and fished herring for many years.  In later years, John worked as a gillnetter for salmon.  He always enjoyed being on the boat including lots of time in and around the harbour and nearby inlets with Cynthia and the girls. 

John loved hunting.  He had many hunting trips to local areas such as Nelson Island and Jervis Inlet as well as further trips up the Alaska Highway and to the Chilcotin with his father, brother, and friends. He also took guided trips to Northern BC and the Northwest Territories with his father.  In his final days, John enjoyed going through photo albums and reliving his hunting stories with his longtime friend and hunting buddy, Ian Munro. 

John was a dedicated and proud member of the Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department which he joined in January, 1987. He went on to drive the truck and assisted on many calls over the years. 

John was also an avid golfer. He was a charter member of the Pender Harbour Golf Club and was very proud of the two hole in ones he shot on the course!  He enjoyed many, many rounds of golf often playing daily during non-fishing times of the year.

John suffered a major stroke in 2017 but he was a fighter.  He spent over four months doing rehabilitation in the city to regain his speech and some of his mobility.  He spent the last five and a half years mostly close to home but was always in good spirits. He enjoyed the time with his family including continuing to attend Vancouver Canucks and BC Lions games with his daughters as well as watching hockey and football on TV.  He was really enjoying the NFL playoffs this year just before he passed. 

John is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Cynthia; his mother, Muriel; his daughters, Devon (Steven) Ross and Catherine Cameron; his sister, June (Arnie) Miller; his brother, Bruce (Marilyn) Cameron; and by many other family and friends. John was predeceased by his father, William.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.   His family will be holding a celebration of life on a boat to spread his ashes later in the spring.