Ronald F. Cameron, 66, of
Ipswich, died peacefully on September 7, 2013,
surrounded by his loving family at the Kaplan House,
following a long battle with cancer. Born on June 8,
1947 in Berlin, New Hampshire to the late E. Frank
Cameron and Jeanette (Gould) Cameron, Ron attended
Ipswich schools, graduating in 1965. He then graduated
from the Andover Institution of Business in 1967.
As a boy, Ron
was a Boy Scout and earned his God and Country badge
while in a troop led by his father. Ron also formed a
band, The Stingrays, with his friends and his parents
opened their home for them to practice. In 1968, Ron
married his high school sweetheart, Laurie Tedford.
Together the couple made countless special memories
throughout their forty-five years of marriage.
Lovingly
coined "the unofficial mayor of Ipswich", Ron was very
active in the Ipswich community. There was seldom a time
or place that he went without a wave or friendly
greeting. He began working at Tedford's True Value in
1969, where he was general manager and was recognized by
customers and employees alike for his service,
experience and knowledge. A Mason since 1972 at the John
T. Heard Lodge, Ron was also an officer of the Ipswich
Outboard Club since 1969. He was a member of several
committees, including the Ipswich Waterways Advisory
Committee and being an integral part of initiating and
orchestrating the Ipswich Holiday Happenings committee
and its annual Santa parade.
When he
wasn’t working or volunteering his time, Ron had many
hobbies. Ron was a talented and innovative builder. He
constructed numerous floating docks, which have serviced
marinas throughout New England and, in 1980, he and
Laurie built their passive solar home. Here, they
continued their forty-five year tradition of opening
their doors on Thanksgiving morning for fried dough and
cold duck to friends and relatives. Ron has also
restored many different things, including a 1964 Daimler
SP250, a 1901 Glenwood wood burning stove and several
boats.
Ron and his
family had several boats of their own through the
years. Their boat “Water Buffalo” could frequently be
seen in the Ipswich River or on the back side of Crane
Beach. They also enjoyed several trips up and down the
coast, from Maine to Cape Cod. When Ron wasn't on his
boat, he could be seen cruising in their Mustang
convertible. Ron loved the outdoors. His family made
annual trips to Magalloway Plantation, Maine to his
grandparents' hunting lodge. There they spent their time
fishing, hunting partridge, and snowmobiling. Ron
loved many things in his life, including his devoted,
loving wife, but among his greatest joys in his life
were his three daughters he prided as his Three
Stoogesses. Their humor and love never ceased to
entertain and warm him.
Ron is
survived by his loving wife and best friend, Laurie (Tedford)
Cameron, his daughters Kristie Henderson and her husband
Brian of Ipswich, Callie Doane and her husband Dexter of
Essex, and Jill Gallant and her husband Ronny, also of
Essex. Known as GungGung, Beebop, and Grampy, Ron is
survived by his grandchildren Marley, Cameron, and
Hunter Henderson and Randall and Henry Doane. He is also
survived by a brother, Dennis Cameron of E. Kingston,
NH, his brother-in-law Jim Tedford and his wife Diane,
his sister-in-law Carolyn Adams, and several nieces and
nephews.
His funeral
service will be held Friday September 13 at 11 am in the
First Church in Ipswich, Meetinghouse Green, followed
by interment in the New Highland Cemetery, Ipswich.
Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting
hours are Thursday 4 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter
Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In Lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made
to the Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, c/o MGH
Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600,
Boston, MA 02114.
