CAMERON JAY

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CAMERON JAY April 4, 1929 - April 25, 2008 Cam was born in Lauder, Manitoba; son of a mechanic and a school teacher. The family moved to Hamilton, Ontario when he was five years old where he and his sister were raised by their mother. After completing high school and teacher training he taught school in Hamilton for six years. During this time he completed his B.A. degree at the Evening Institute of McMaster University. Cam married beautiful, fun-loving Doreen in Hamilton in 1952 and later with her unfailing devotion he obtained within a period of six years his B.S.A at the University of Manitoba, M.Sc. at the University of Toronto and Ph.D. at the University of London. They raised four children, Maureen, Marlene, Corinne, and Murray, and were blessed with six grandchildren, Rachel and Zoe (Maureen), Curtis and Kirstin (Marlene and Don), and Robert and Brittany (Corinne). He is also survived by his sister Maxine and her family. Cam adored both his kids and grandkids and because he was a big kid at heart . He always had great fun with them. He especially enjoyed entertaining them (and many others) at Christmas in an old, ragged Santa suit. The walls of the rec room are covered with photos of the family, special events, friends and travels. Cam joined the Entomology Department at the University of Manitoba in 1961 where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses, and undertook extensive research using honey bees and leaf-cutting bees with beekeepers and seed growers. His research and teaching involved extended time in England, USA, Kenya, Jamaica, New Zealand, Tasmania and mainland Australia; and his den walls are covered with the honours he received for his efforts. He was particularly proud of the awards from the University of Manitoba: University Gold Medal, Outreach Award, Excellence in Teaching Award, U of M Alumni Assoc. Jubilee Award and his appointment as Professor Emeritus. He was also pleased to have been Head of the department in which he had formerly been a student. Cam loved the 27 years he spent teaching where each of his students were special- particularly the M.Sc. and Ph.D. students he trained. He valued their friendship and keenly followed their careers after graduation. Many interests filled Cam's life. His volunteer activities included: Canadian Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Winnipeg Cheer Board and Lyncrest Airport. He loved outdoor life and as a Boy Scout and long time Scout Leader made the be prepared motto an integral part of his life. Flying was one of Cam's passions. He completely rebuilt a 1949 aircraft and flew it for over 35 years. Most recently he obtained an open cockpit, bi-wing Kelly D. He built a large hangar at Lyncrest Airport to house his two planes, and where he enjoyed the company of members of the Springfield Flying Club. Doreen and Cam owned a hobby tree farm at Starbuck for many years which family and friends enjoyed visiting. Cam kept busy with building projects at the farm or in the city and was always making something, big or small. Above all else, Cam dearly loved and cherished Doreen, his wife of 55 years. He fully appreciated how fortunate he was to have her as a friend and partner. Each decade Cam, known as the Billboard Romeo would publicly proclaim his love for Doreen by stating it on a large billboard in Winnipeg. Together they shared trips to foreign lands, and traveled North America in their 5th wheeler along with friends in the Redboine Travel Club. Cam would like to be remembered for being a good husband, father and teacher and as a good friend who was fun to be with .... A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home. A private urn placement will take place at a later date in Holy Angel Mausoleum. If one wishes, donations may be made to the Victoria General Hospital. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241 Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2008