John Joel Gates Cameron

John Joel Gates Cameron passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023, at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. A resident of Pelham Manor, New York for 51 years, he was born on March 13, 1934, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the only child of Robert Joel Cameron and Dorothea McConnell Sands Cameron. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 27 years, Sheila, his son, Ian J.G. Cameron and wife Catherine Martin Cameron of Darien, Connecticut, grandson James Scott Cooper Cameron of Bethel, Maine, and granddaughter Margaret Alice Chase Cameron of Saratoga Springs, New York.

Joel grew up in Toronto and cherished his childhood summers spent at Camp Ahmek on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park, where he later served as a Counselor-In-Training. He graduated from Pickering College, Canada’s only Quaker-founded independent day and boarding school, and received a B.A. Economics from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and his M.A. in Economics from Cornell University. After completing his studies, Joel moved to New York City to start his career in finance, first as a utility analyst at U.S. Trust Company and Lehman Brothers, and subsequently as an Equities Sales Representative at McLeod, Young, Weir, Inc., Wood Gundy, Inc., and Nordberg Capital from which he retired in 2012, after a 49-year career.

Joel loved living in the United States, and while he treasured his Scots-Canadian heritage, he became a US Citizen in 1996. In New York City, he was a member and participant in the activities of the Downtown Association and the Saint Andrew’s Society. An active sportsman and sports enthusiast, he played tennis and paddle tennis and the occasional round of golf at the Pelham Country Club and later at the American Yacht Club (Rye, NY). He was an avid hockey fan and faithfully supported the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers. In retirement, Joel continued to play his favorite sports, follow the financial markets, research and analyze companies, and care for his new dog, Robespierre (aka Robbie), a Bichon Frisé. Joel was keenly interested in people; talking with old friends and new acquaintances was his most favorite activity.

A celebration of Joel’s life will take place at the Huguenot Memorial Church, located at 901 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham, New York on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate that gifts be made to the Palliative Care Program at White Plains Hospital and sent to: White Plains Hospital, 41 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601, or a secure, tax-deductible contribution can be made at: www.wphospital.org/donate. Thank you.