Ipswich Outboard Club

Ronald F. Cameron, 66, longtime IOC Member

Ronald F. Cameron, 66, of Ipswich, died peacefully on September 7, 2013, surrounded by his loving family at the Kaplan House, following a long battle with cancer. Born on June 8, 1947 in Berlin, New Hampshire, to the late E. Frank Cameron and Jeanette (Gould) Cameron, Ron attended Ipswich schools, graduating in 1965. He then graduated from the Andover Institution of Business in 1967.

As a boy, Ron was a Boy Scout and earned his God and Country badge while in a troop led by his father. Ron also formed a band, The Stingrays, with his friends and his parents opened their home for them to practice. In 1968, Ron married his high school sweetheart, Laurie Tedford. Together the couple made countless special memories throughout their forty-five years of marriage.

Lovingly coined “the unofficial mayor of Ipswich”, Ron was very active in the Ipswich community. There was seldom a time or place that he went without a wave or friendly greeting.  He began working at Tedford’s True Value in 1969, where he was general manager and was recognized by customers and employees alike for his service, experience and knowledge. A Mason since 1972 at the John T. Heard Lodge, Ron was also an officer of the Ipswich Outboard Club since 1969. He was a member of several committees, including the Ipswich Waterways Advisory Committee and being an integral part of initiating and orchestrating the Ipswich Holiday Happenings committee and its annual Santa parade.

When he wasn’t working or volunteering his time, Ron had many hobbies.  Ron was a talented and innovative builder. He constructed numerous floating docks, which have serviced marinas throughout New England and, in 1980, he and Laurie built their passive solar home. Here, they continued their forty-five year tradition of opening their doors on Thanksgiving morning for fried dough and cold duck to friends and relatives.  Ron has also restored many different things, including a 1964 Daimler SP250, a 1901 Glenwood wood burning stove and several boats.

Ron and his family had several boats of their own through the years.  Their boat “Water Buffalo” could frequently be seen in the Ipswich River or on the back side of Crane Beach.  They also enjoyed several trips up and down the coast, from Maine to Cape Cod.  When Ron wasn’t on his boat, he could be seen cruising in their Mustang convertible.  Ron loved the outdoors. His family made annual trips to Magalloway Plantation, Maine to his grandparents’ hunting lodge. There they spent their time fishing, hunting partridge, and snowmobiling.   Ron loved many things in his life, including his devoted, loving wife, but among his greatest joys in his life were his three daughters he prided as his Three Stoogesses. Their humor and love never ceased to entertain and warm him.

Ron is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Laurie (Tedford) Cameron, his daughters Kristie Henderson and her husband Brian of Ipswich, Callie Doane and her husband Dexter of Essex, and Jill Gallant and her husband Ronny, also of Essex. Known as GungGung, Beebop, and Grampy, Ron is survived by his grandchildren Marley, Cameron, and Hunter Henderson and Randall and Henry Doane. He is also survived by a brother, Dennis Cameron of E. Kingston, NH, his brother-in-law Jim Tedford and his wife Diane, his sister-in-law Carolyn Adams, and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held Friday September 13 at 11 am in the First Church in Ipswich, Meetinghouse Green, followed by interment in the New Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Thursday 4 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, c/o MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.