Passing: Sandy Cameron

Sandy

It was so good to have Sandy around – whether he was helping welcome people at the Community Theatre or setting up the next Robert Burns Dinner (or telling me how cool it was that some Koreans were setting up one…in Korea! And were using him as a consultant….). The island misses him – here’s a writeup form Rona & his family:

Sandy Cameron
March 10th 1953 ~ October 24th 2012

Sandy passed away at home on his beloved San Juan Island  surrounded by nature. A place where his cherry trees flourished and deer, foxes and raccoons walked right by his window. Bearded Collie Dusty dog gave chase at the first whiff of intruders!  Sadly, Dusty took himself off to a favourite place in the woods and passed away in August at age 13. He was much loved by all who met him.  R.I.P.  darling Dusty…

Sandy leaves behind son Craig 30 and wife Michelle in Hawaii, son Euan, 28 in Rothes, Scotland, plus sister Christine, husband Pano and sons Georgie and Christos near Athens, Greece, uncle Jimmy and aunt Elsie  in Scotland and many friends on the island and around the world.

Bannockburn, Scotland was Sandy’s birth place and he was a keen cyclist in his youth. In later years he organised cycle races in Scotland, then cheered his favourites in the Tour De France every year on TV. Sandy graduated with Diploma in Town and Country Planning in 1975 from Glasgow School of Art, working as a Town Planner for Falkirk and Moray Councils and was a Small Business Adviser for some years.

Sandy married Margaret in August 1975 in Glasgow, and first son Craig was born 6 years later in 1981 and Euan followed in 1983. Sandy loved being around the Findhorn Foundation, an intentional spiritual community in the Moray Firth, Scotland in the 1980’s until he moved to Canada and the USA for some years with second wife Barbara, running successful floristry business and native American gallery in Geneseo, Upstate New York.  Sandy returned to his Scottish roots in 1997, to Cluny Hill College in The Findhorn Foundation once more, where he met Rona. He  was known for his work as Asset Manager, instigating  Cluny’s electrical rewiring, but  is perhaps  more famous  for his  popular “address to a haggis”  speech each Burns Night on January 25th. “Fair fa’ your honest sonsie face. Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!”

Sandy and Rona left Cluny in March 2001 for America after 4 years together and got married in August that year near Rochester, Upstate New York. They travelled extensively around the USA, in their vintage Airstream 28 foot trailer, finally settling in July 2002 on San Juan Island, very much like their native Scotland. It was Sandy’s return and Rona’s first  taste of island life. Sandy loved his position as “Front of House Manager” at the San Juan Community Theatre for some years, greeting theatre patrons and liaising smoothly with volunteer teams. His pre show “curtain speeches” were infamous, showcasing his sharp wit, humour and sheer Scottish charm. Sandy combined his love of nature and being on the open water in spring 2009 on a 3 month marine naturalist training via The Whale Museum. He attended graduation day in his Cameron clan tartan kilt, much to everyone’s delight!

Let’s remember Sandy’s loves;  holding family dear to his heart, all things Scots especially haggis, delight in all gadgets with the “Apple” logo, love of political debate, skydiving training at age 52!! Becoming a US Citizen was one of his proudest moments. Sandy explored the Tibetan Buddhist faith in 2010 and “formally took refuge” recently, adopting Tibetan Buddhism as his spiritual path.  A full life, well lived, despite battles with “inner demons” and ongoing health issues. His struggle ended at age 59. Sandy’s favourite quote was “Yesterday’s gone, that’s why it’s called “the past”. Tomorrow has not arrived, that’s why it’s called “the future”. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called “the present”. Sandy, you were much loved and will be fondly missed by many. Thanks for sharing 13 years with me and enriching my life. Sandy’s ashes were lovingly scattered by his son Craig and 10 friends at one of his favourite island nature spots, Dead Man’s Cove, Sunday November 11th. Farewell Sandy. Rest in peace until next life time. Fondest love from Rona xxx

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