Page 10 - Giv'er Miramichi magazine - Spring 2017

Miramichiers Who Giv'er!

Meet Lloyd Cameron by Anthony McLean

Recently I had the privilege of interviewing another
Miramichier who knows how to Giv'er! Each of the people I
have interviewed so far for this regular feature have affected
me in some way. After I conducted this interview, I paused
and reflected on our conversation. He definitely represents
the kind of man that I aspire to be. I felt at ease talking to
him. He was calming, witty, genuine, and I am proud to have
him as a friend. When I asked him what the word “giv'er”
means to him, he replied “Participation, giving back,
contributing and sharing your gifts and talents to enhance
others and the community around you.” And throughout his
lifetime on the Miramichi, he has certainly done that. We met
at the Creative Grounds Cafe in Chatham and this was my
conversation with Lloyd Cameron.

AM: What was your childhood like?
Anthony McLean (left) sits down to interview Lloyd Cameron, a
LC: I grew up in Loggieville on a little farm in a family
man who has left a lasting impression on him.
of nine (five girls and four boys). Four were born before the
Second World War and five after, so it was like two families AM: Where did you attend school?
with such a large age gap between each group of siblings. I LC: I graduated from Chatham High School in 1968, and
am the middle in the second family. It was a fun idealized then went on to Teacher's College in Fredericton, and then to
childhood, not like today, as young people don't utilize the UNB Fredericton for my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of
creative outlet of playing outside, rather spending a lot of Education. In the summertime while I was going to
time indoors with video games. We did a lot of exploring in University, I worked on the Survey Crew for the Department
the woods, went swimming in the summertime almost of Highways and was a caretaker of the Pine Grove
everyday, either at Tyrrell's Point or over the bank at Cemetery, using a “push” mower and not a “sit-on” mower.
Kingston’s shore, played a lot of cricket and baseball and did I taught at Chatham Junior High School for 16 years, which
farming chores. My family had chickens, cows, horses and later became Dr. Losier Jr. High, with one year out in
pigs. We always had a large garden, and in the autumn we Donnelly, Alberta teaching Reading and Resource to Grades
did haying. Our house was situated among five other farms 1 to 3 and then James M. Hill Memorial High School for 17
that in most cases had an individual of the same age, which years, from where I retired. I worked for 33 years in the
gave us about four or five playmates in the neighbourhood. Education system.

10 www.GiverMiramichi.com Spring 2017