Obituary of Hugh Cameron

Hugh Cameron passed away peacefully with family at Fenelon Court Nursing Home in Fenelon Falls on Wednesday Feb 23, 2022 at the age of 88. Loving father to Marlene Mitchelmore (Ken) of Woodville and David Cameron (Margaret) of Peterborough. Inspiring grandfather of Cameron Mitchelmore, Aidan Mitchelmore and Thomas Cameron. Hugh was predeceased by his loving wife Wilma Cameron (nee Adair) and by his older siblings Bernice Jones (nee Cameron) and husband Lorne, Lloyd Cameron and wife Rhea, Edna Cameron, Bill Cameron and wife Marie. Born in Woodville December 10, 1933, Hugh married Wilma in the summer of 1954. Together they raised two children in Woodville, and maintained close connection with the community throughout their long lives. Hugh Cameron always kept active and never wasted a minute. Throughout his life he pursued many interests and talents including custom home construction, wood working, community work, and of course, hockey. Hugh spent his childhood helping his father Alex work with his steam engine cutting wood and thrashing crops. He later worked at Stoddart’s on Woodville’s King Street before becoming a home builder – taking building courses remotely by mail. In his 20s, Hugh started his own business, Cameron Construction, and completed over 50 homes and many renovations in Woodville and surrounding areas. Hugh was playing hockey before he started school, and he built a reputation as a phenomenal hockey player. He played in rinks that were so old that there were support posts in the middle of the ice surface. One season, he played for a total of 5 different teams. On March 13, 1957 in a game played in Orangeville against Cedar Valley, Hugh scored 10 goals. Foster Hewitt reporting this on the radio announced that “This is a record in OHA Hockey.” Hugh continued to play over the span of 8 decades into his 80s, and he was inducted into the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Hugh also coached various Woodville teams for 25 years including the Woodville ‘Junior D’ team. Always competitive, Hugh would not sit a game out for any reason. Once while coaching, the weather was bad and there were no parents available to drive to the game. He managed to fit enough players for one line, including the goalie and all the players’ equipment in his Datsun and drove to Bancroft in a snowstorm so they would not forfeit the game. Celebrating and supporting Woodville’s hockey culture and community was just one of the many passions Hugh pursued. As an elected representative, he facilitated community initiatives while serving on the Municipality of Woodville Council for many years. In his 60s and 70s, Hugh built and flooded his own ice rink, complete with shallow wood boards, and steel hockey nets (welded from scrap scaffolding). His grandchildren have fond memories of first learning to skate, and later playing shinny – Hugh never went easy on them. Once when he was coaching a Woodville team that was losing a game in the all Ontario Championship series, Hugh told the team that if they win this game he would take them all camping. Woodville scored 12 goals to win and later that summer the team had a great time in Algonquin Park complete with the memories of a bear ripping apart their storage tent. Their children fondly remember the many camping trips, excursions and adventures they took when growing up. It was a common joke that grandad’s stamina and Wilma’s organization made them the perfect camping and travel companions. Family was very important to Hugh and Wilma. The two spent countless evenings playing euchre and crib with Bill and Marie Cameron, who were Hugh and Wilma’s brother and sister respectively. They also spent time with his sister Bernice and traveled to visit his other siblings. The entire family always enjoyed the great debates between him and his two brothers Bill and Lloyd. Throughout their life, well into their 70s, they still relished the long drives down to Staffa Ontario for reunions with family – with Grandad always making enough time to stop for some soft serve Dairy Queen ice cream along the way. Hugh will be remembered for his kind heart, his calm and supportive temperament, his sportsmanship, camping adventures, and the almost permanent smile he wore on his face. When recently told to have a good time when leaving to attend a family event he replied “I always do”. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Thorne Funeral Home 109 Laidlaw Street South in Cannington (705-432-2672). Interment Smith’s Cemetery in Woodville. Memories photos and condolences may be shared at www.thornefuneralhome.ca