Alexander Lamont Cameron

CAMERON, Alexander Lamont - April 9, 1930 - September 11, 2005 Passed away age 75 at home in San Rafael, CA. Alex was born in Glasgow, Scotland. As a young man he studied in London, where he met his partner Gus Pyre. Alex and Gus, an American, moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1962, returning for a few years to London in the early 1970s. About 1973 they returned to the US to settle in Mill Valley, CA. During their years in Mill Valley, they frequently traveled to Hawaii, fell in love with the islands and moved in 1980s to Kealakekua on the Kona Coast, which became their home for ten years. In the late 1990s they moved once more, to San Rafael, CA, where Gus died in 2000. An accomplished artist, Alex made annual pilgrimages with friends to the Grunewald Guild in Leavenworth, WA, a hands-on, religion through art community. While living in Hawaii, he was baptized and became a very active member of Christ Church, Kealakekua, not only singing in the choir, serving on the vestry and finance committee but collaborating with a committee that designed and put together the eleven stained glass windows in the church. Alex was vivacious and sociable, at times cantankerous, always concerned with people. His interests and talents were many, contributing to a full and rich life, supported by deep friendships. His niece Isabella describes him as a great conversationalist with a wicked sense of humor; a beloved brother, uncle, friend his interest in people led him to volunteer wherever he lived. He helped set up the funding for Christ Church Kealakekua's "Let's Make a Difference" project, aimed at insuring the church spent as much helping others as they did on improvements to their building. The funds raised found their way to many projects locally and internationally. During his years in Mill Valley, Alex volunteered at the Sunny Hills Children's Garden, San Anselmo, lending his artistic knowledge to dealing with art works donated to the charity's "Bargain Box". On return visits from Hawaii, he continued to drop in to help and became a regular again when he settled in San Rafael. Up until just weeks before his death, he served as a volunteer greeter and guide at San Rafael City Hall. With friends from St. Gregory's he regularly prepared and served meals for homeless guests at Martin de Porres House of Hospitality in San Francisco. He was devoted to his church, St. Gregory Nyssen in San Francisco, where the sight of Alex in his blue deacon's robe, welcoming newcomers and old friends was for many an indispensable part of Sunday morning. Alex was preceded in death by his beloved partner of over 40 years, Gus Pyre; his mother Isabella Lamont; father, John Cameron and sister, Betty. Survived in Scotland and England by his sisters May and Isa; 11 nieces and nephews; 21 great nieces and nephews; and over 15 great-great nieces and nephews; and in the US by his adopted niece, Carol Goodner Cameron of Reno, NV. Deeply mourned also by the congregation of St. Gregory Nyssen Episcopal Church, San Francisco, his "church family"; friends in London: Terry Early and Dennis Wells, Michael Moran; friends in Hawaii: Cynthia Salley, fondly called his godmother; Bill and Pat Taylor; and many others too numerous to mention. A memorial service will be held at St. Gregory Nyssen Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 1 at 10 am when his ashes will be interred in the columbarium. For directions go to www.saintgregorys.com or call 415-255-8100. Instead of flowers, please consider donations in Alex's memory to: St. Gregory Nyssen, 500 De Haro St., SF, 94107; or Martin de Porres, 225 Potrero Ave., SF, 94107; or the Grunewald Guild, 19003 River Rd, Leavenworth, WA 98826. KEATON'S MORTUARY 415-453-0571