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Obituaries 09-02-13

George Robert Cameron

Essex Jct.: George Robert Cameron, died on August 23, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

    George was born on February 26, 1923 in Rutland, Vermont, the son of the late George H. and Florence (Mann) Cameron.  He graduated from Rutland High School and continued his self-education as a prodigious reader.

    George had a lifelong love of railroads, working as a trainman on the Rutland, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroads.  Another passion throughout his life was writing for various newspapers.  The gift of writing also carried over into a passion for writing poetry.  This beautiful poetry at times delighted the reader with great humor, and at other times touched a place deep within your soul.

    In 1944 George married Margaret Jeanotte, who died in January, 1945.  He married Marion Sharp at St. Peter’s church in Rutland, Vermont on May 29th, 1948.  They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.  What a blessing it was to see their incredible love and devotion to each other for so many years.

    George had a very prestigious career in radio, beginning in 1957 as an announcer-salesman at WHWB in Rutland.   In 1965, after managing WEAV in Plattsburgh, George became partner with Simon Goldman of Jamestown, New York.  George was Vice-President and General Manager of WVMT in Burlington, as well as WSYB and WRUT in Rutland until his retirement in 1989.

    During the Vietnam War, George was named an honorary Vermont National Guardsman for a creative marketing program to help in recruiting. In 1984, he was awarded the coveted first ever Crystal Award by the National Association of Broadcasters.  This award is given for extraordinary public service.  In the same year he was named a Charter Member of the Vermont Broadcasters Hall of Fame.  In 1985 George was named Broadcaster of the Year.  

    George’s life was devoted to community service. For 18 years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fanny Allen Hospital, at the time a 100 bed acute care hospital, serving for 2 years as President of the Board, and spending countless hours through telethons raising money for the hospital and his beloved nuns.  In addition, he served as a board member on the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Catholic Tribune, Vermont Alcohol Rehabilitation Commission, Vermont Parole Board, and was Chairman of the Winooski Planning Commission during Model Cities development.  Always interested in politics, George was a past State Finance Chairman for the Republican Party and a past member of the Republican National Finance Committee.  In his later years, George was concerned with the position of his party and became an Independent.

    George felt his life was profoundly affected by his decision to join Alcoholics Anonymous in 1953.  He modeled his life after those principles and helped countless people through the years.

   The most important gift he shared was his unwavering faith and devotion to prayer.  He and Marion spent a part of everyday together in prayer.  They prayed for so many with anonymity and sincerity.

    Mr. Cameron is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Marion of Essex Junction, and five children:  Michael and his wife Laura, of Middlebury, Laurel (Cameron) Kilcawley of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Douglas and his wife, Donna of East Brookfield, Linda (Cameron) Ayer and her husband, Warren of Colchester, and Ann (Cameron) Robideau, and her husband David of Essex.  He is also survived by a brother Earl, of Sun City, Arizona, and sisters Elizabeth and Virginia both of Rutland as well as 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.  Mr. Cameron was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret, his parents George and Florence, a brother Howard, and an infant grand-daughter.

    The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Forgione, Dr. Diana Barnard and the VNA Hospice Team, especially Denise McLaughlin RN.  They would also like to thank long time physicians Dr. John Fitzgerald, and his “Main Man”, Dr. Tom Peterson, for their compassionate care.

    A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated August 27th at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Center Road, Essex Center, Vermont with Fr. Richard Tinney officiating. Co-celebrants were be Fr. Charles Ranges, Mr. Cameron’s grand-son Fr. Sean Kilcawley, and Deacon Gerry Scilla. Keeping with Mr. Cameron’s request, there were no public viewing hours. Burial will be private and at a later date.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Pius X Building Fund, Center Road, Essex, Vermont or the Holy Family/St. Lawrence Building Fund, 4 Prospect Street, Essex Junction, VT.

 Arrangements are by the Ready Funeral and Cremation Service, Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Dr. in Essex Junction.  Online condolences may be sent to www.readyfuneral.com.

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