Rev. Francis Cameron, a well-known educator and parish priest in the Diocese of Charlottetown, died Saturday in the Prince County Hospital at the age of 84 after a period of declining health. A member of a large Summerside family, he graduated from St. Dunstan’s University in 1950. After four years of theological studies at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax, he was ordained to the priesthood in St. Dunstan’s Basilica by Bishop James Boyle in 1954 for service in the Diocese of Charlottetown. Cameron was assigned first to St. Dunstan’s in the high school department, where he served with distinction for upwards of 15 years. He was a truly competent teacher, much gifted in working with youth. In time he became principal of the high school, a post he retained until the school’s closure in the late 1960s. While on campus he also organized and directed a St. Dunstan’s high school choir which sang regularly at the university and in several Island parishes. This was in the days when Latin was still the language of Catholic worship. After his years at St. Dunstan’s, Cameron was transferred to parish ministry and served as pastor in the following places: the parishes of Morell and Green Meadows, 1971-1980; Southport, 1980-1984 and Alberton, 1984-1993. The new church rectory complex at Morell was constructed during his pastorate there. Major health problems led to his retirement from full-time parochial ministry at the age of 66. He then moved to Summerside from where he assisted in week-end ministry, mainly in the Prince County area. As well, he conducted services at the two Summerside manors until quite recent times, being able to live at his apartment until just days before his death. Cameron’s funeral will take place in St. Paul’s Church, Summerside on Wednesday with interment in the parish cemetery.
Cameron - The death occurred peacefully, at Prince County Hospital, Summerside, on Saturday, April 14, 2012, of Reverend Francis William Alexander Cameron, of Summerside, aged 84 years. He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Mrs. Mildred (George) Thomarat, Summerside; Mrs. Noreen (Rosaire) Levesque, Montreal, QC; Donald (Carole) Cameron, Kitchener, ON; Gerald (Elizabeth) Cameron, Riverview, NB. He was predeceased by his parents William Alexander Cameron and Mary Anne "Molly" Kelly; his sisters Lois (Milton) Anderson, Mary (Donat) Landry, Miriam "Midge" (Robert) Colville, Teresa (George) Rafferty; and his brothers John "Jack" Cameron and Urban "Sparky" Cameron. Resting at Moase Funeral Home, Summerside, until Tuesday, then to St. Paul’s Church, Summerside, where visiting hours will be held from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, Summerside, on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place in the family plot at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Summerside. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund or the Palliative Care Unit of Prince County Hospital would be appreciated.
