CAMERON, John McNally

1942-2023

John passed away in Mariposa House Hospice on March 17, 2023 surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with acute leukaemia. John was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario to John McLellan Cameron and Ruth Elizabeth McNally. He was a devoted son and the loving brother of Carol, Judy and Mary.

John lived in Niagara Falls with his family and his large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. He was especially close to his cousins Gord Wade and Andy Henderson who were like brothers to him. When John was 12 years old, his father was transferred to England. John was fortunate to attend boarding school at King’s School Rochester. At first the British school system was a challenge but he quickly managed to excel in math and science. Naturally athletic, he learned to play rugby, cricket and golf.

He returned to Canada to enter the University of Toronto and graduated in 1964 with a degree in chemical engineering. He lived in Devonshire House residence and it was a source of many friendships and good times. Rugby became his focus. For four years, his U of T Varsity Rugby team was undefeated and in 2016 were inducted into the U of T Sports Hall of Fame. While on a university ski trip in 1964 he met Nancy, the love of his life.

After graduation, John joined DuPont Canada where he had a distinguished career for 35 years, culminating in senior management. His management style was to always be encouraging which was therefore well-received. He first worked in Shawinigan, then Montreal, Whitby, Maitland, and the head office in Mississauga, Ontario. His job, licencing technology, took him many places around the world: India, Egypt, the U.K., China, Russia, Finland, France and many places throughout North America. His last four years were spent in Wilmington, Delaware where he played golf, continued to travel for business and began Masters swimming.

In 1999, John and Nancy transitioned to retirement by returning to Canada and moving to Maple Highlands, a farm in Oro-Medonte. John, with his technical skills, set up a sophisticated maple syrup operation. With the help of many family and friends, John and Nancy made maple syrup for 15 years. John then became a skilled woodworker, fashioning many items: cradles, rocking horses and furniture. John also loved gardening. He grew many kinds of flowers but hostas and peonies were his favourites. Preserving the woodlot was very important to John. He planted hundreds of trees over the years. His Fraser Fir plantation provided Christmas trees to many friends and family members.

After moving to Oro-Medonte, John quickly became involved in the community, serving on the board of Orillia Power, the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital and the Hospital Foundation boards, both as a member and as Chair. He was an active member of the Huronia Woodlot Owners, the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers, and the Bass Lake Ratepayers Association. His extensive business knowledge and management skills were greatly appreciated.


In addition to his family, friends and career, John loved to golf. By age 80 he had shot 8 holes in one, golfed in all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, the Yukon and many countries around the world. He made friends far and wide through golf.

His greatest accomplishment, he would say, is his family. He and Nancy were married for almost 57 years. Together they raised four children. John will be deeply missed by Karen, Jill, Mark and Rob and their spouses Carmine Stumpo, Paul Zambonini and Patapia Cameron. His legacy lives on in his six grandchildren James, Thomas, Sarah, Charlie, Johnny and Melina whom he adored. He taught them all many important life lessons and formed close relationships with each of them.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Hawk Ridge Golf Course, 1151 Hurlwood Lane, Severn, Ontario from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. For those interested there will be speeches commencing at 4:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mundell Funeral Home, Orillia, Ontario. If you wish to make a donation in John’s name, please feel free to do so to the Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital www.osmhfoundation.ca , the Mariposa House Hospice www.mariposahousehospice.ca or the Recovery Project Foundation www.recoveryprojectfoundation.com .