Leslie Roy Cameron

On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Leslie Roy Cameron passed away. He was 80. Leslie was the loving husband of Verona for 55 years (57 if you ask him, because he always added the two years they dated). He was the father of six children (Delroy (Tony), Dennis, Andrea (Ann), Michele, Gail and Tamika (deceased), grandfather of nine (LeslieAnn, Livingstone Jr, Alexandrea, Elizabeth, Tahlea, Stephan, Samara, Myles, Georgina, and Demisha), and several greatgrandchildren. Leslie was predeceased by his parents, Beatrice Clarke and Richard Cameron. He was the oldest of 15 siblings, Keith, Arthur (C), Norma (Joy), Yvonne and Gladstone (Tony), Vivette, Donald, Barrington, Robert, Lorna, Althea (Maria), Vincent, Sharon, Moreland, and Paulette (deceased). He was born in St. Ann, Jamaica West Indies. He and Keith were raised by their paternal grandparents in Fellowship Hall, St. Mary. There were so many relatives in Fellowship Hall, it was called “Cameron Town”. Leslie never forgot his roots. Tony, Ann, and Michele spent many summer vacations with relatives in Fellowship Hall. He always charted his own way, and decided to become a Methodist instead of Seventh Day Adventist like everyone else in the family (he said he wanted to eat pork!). In 1958, Leslie Cameron joined the Kingston & St Andrew Fire Brigade. During his initial training, he was advised to find himself an “Inspector’s wife”. He believed this was a prophecy, as he didn’t think he was “Inspector” material. In 1961, he met Verona Edwards, teacher. They married on April 20, 1963, at Lyndhurst Methodist Church. They were blessed with Andrea, Michele, and Gail. He named all his girls. Leslie and Verona designed and built their Silvera Drive home in 1969. It was partially unfinished at the move as “Verona had to get Andrea away from the foul-mouthed neighbor before she really started talking”. The family joined Providence Methodist Church in 1969. His work ethic and affinity for math was noticed, and he rose rapidly through the ranks. He routinely refused promotions because he thought that other firemen needed the promotion (salary increase) more than he did. As a very junior officer, he developed and managed the budget for the department, preparing the Fire Commissioner for meetings with local government officials. He travelled to London, Wales and Denmark for advanced officer training, representing Jamaica with distinction. In 1983, Leslie was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica for his exceptional service to the department. He was instrumental in the creation of Jamaica’s Disaster Management Plan. He retired in 1995, at the rank of Deputy Commissioner, including serving as Acting Commissioner for about 3 years. Leslie was an avid reader, gardener, great singer and incredible cook. He was passionate about cricket, loved westerns and was extremely generous. He loved to laugh. In recognition of his unquestionable integrity and influence in the Hermitage & August Town communities, Leslie served as Justice of the Peace from the mid-90’s until his retirement in 2016 due to illness. He sang baritone in Voices at Dawn, the Providence Methodist Church 6am service choir from its inception. His devotion to family was absolute. He is missed by all of us who loved him.