Ray Carlton Cameron
April 28, 1926 – May1, 2024
WWII Merchant Navy Veteran
We can all learn from Ray’s wish on his 90th birthday…“that the future is as beautiful as the past”

Our much beloved “Poppa” passed away peacefully after celebrating his 98th birthday at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.

Born in Lindsay Ontario, Ray found his love of being on the water working on a tugboat in Port Dalhousie.

In 1943, at 17 years of age, Ray answered the call from Norway for volunteers and joined the Merchant Navy to support the Allies with supplies and gasoline.

At the wars conclusion he attained his 1st Mates license, continuing to sail on Great Lake freighters until the early 1950’s. He then entered the construction trade as a Lather, then a Drywaller, finishing his career running large projects in downtown Toronto.

In retirement Ray was very active volunteering with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 614 as Poppy Chairman. He spoke at elementary schools to educate students about the proud history and meaning of Remembrance Day and the pride of wearing a poppy. He was a Service Officer, ensuring that fellow Veterans received their much deserved benefits from Veterans Affairs and care at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. In 2012 he received the Diamond Jubilee Medal in honor of his service. He was honoured to represent the Merchant Marines in 2015, travelling to Holland with his grandson Josh to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland and to France in 2017 with his son Rick to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

He was proud to live in his own home with assistance until he was 97, tending to his other love, gardening, with his best friend and loving companion Bernice Leach.

If you were to ask Ray about his greatest source of pride and accomplishment, it would be his family. Loving Father to Rick (Jane), Peggy, Patty (Kevin). Poppa to Cassandra (Kevin), Kyla (Nik), Spencer(Jenn), Emma, and Josh(Sierra). Great Poppa to Malcolm, Noah, Jackson, Rowan and Amelia.

Our family wishes to thank all the wonderful, caring staff, Doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre who not only helped care for him, but genuinely took an interest in his life stories and made his last 8 months comfortable.

To find out more on Ray visit https://crestwood.on.ca/ohp/cameron-ray/

A Poppy Service followed by a Celebration of Life will be held at:
Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 614
100 Salome Drive
Scarborough, Ontario
M1S 1X4
Saturday June 15th 2024
1 p.m. to 5p.m.