STONINGTON – Harlow Cameron died Jan. 19, 2009, at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital from complications following 10 years of living with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in 1931, in Queens, N.Y., the son of Alexander Cameron, M.D., and Erma Jarvis Cameron. After graduating from Hempstead High School, he entered the College of Agriculture at Cornell University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1952. Shortly after his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years in Germany as a military food inspector. After his service, he returned to Cornell to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine. On completion of his first year there, he married his wife of 51 years, Babette. After graduation he interned at Animal Medical, New York City, while living in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1960, the family, which included two children, moved to Mount Desert Island, where he bought a veterinary practice, which eventually led to a partnership in Ellsworth. On Mount Desert Island, Harlow enjoyed working with cows and horses on the few remaining farms in the area. Several years later, he sold his veterinary practice to enter the field of raising pathogen free laboratory animals after buying the Old Whitney Farm. After a few years he returned to his first love of running a small animal practice by building a veterinary hospital in Bangor. In 1987, after acquiring a home on Deer Isle, he sold the land in Bangor and donated the structure to the Deer Isle-Stonington High School Marine workshop. He then started a part-time clinic at his home in Oceanville, where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Harlow’s life was enriched by many fly-fishing expeditions in Maine, Pennsylvania and Labrador. Moose hunting in Newfoundland, travels in Africa and South America with his wife and family were exciting and memorable excursions. Among diversions from work, for many years he enjoyed flying small planes and belonged to MDI Flying Club and also built his own Taylor Craft in his garage. Acting in community theatre on Mount Desert Island in plays such “Come Blow Your Horn” rounded out his many hobbies. Also while living on Mount Desert Island, he started coaching the first swim team at the YMCA from 1970 to 1973. Subsequently the team won many championships and a few members achieved state records that were held for several years. While living in Oceanville sailing became a priority and Harlow enjoyed many summer and fall days on the beautiful waters of Deer Isle. A love of tennis brought in many new friends who shared many laughs, wit and his great sense of humor. In all the places he lived he always had a large vegetable garden and didn’t hesitate to enlist the help of his family. As a result, through the years they grew to love and respect the life of growing many diverse garden products and plants. Harlow is survived by his wife, “Babette” Edith Elizabeth; son, Ian and his wife, Emily and granddaughter, Miriam Elizabeth; his son, Kip and grandson, Nikolai; and daughter, Dale and her fianc?, Mark DesMeules. A celebration of Harlow’s life will be held in early spring. If desired, contributions in his memory may be made to The Ark, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
HARLOW J. CAMERON, D.V.M.
