Current Wallaceburg District Secondary School teacher Ryan Ebere said there was only one person who could make learning Shakespeare exciting back when he was a student in Grade 9… and that was his teacher, Bernard Cameron.
“All the students liked him,” Ebere told the Sydenham Current.
“Really outgoing and involved in the school. Respected by everybody. Real charismatic. The kind of guy that brought English to life.”
Unfortunately, Cameron’s life was cut short this week when he was shot and killed inside his home near Ottawa.
Reports say Cameron was shot by his former son-in-law, who eventually turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
The 33-year-old also shot his ex-wife, whom he had two children with, Cameron’s daughter Sarah.
Sarah was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries, but has since been upgraded to stable condition, OPP officials say.
Ebere said Cameron taught him english in Grade 9 and OAC at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, a place where Cameron taught from the early 1970s to the early 1990s.
“He was very well liked guy,” Ebere said.
“He taught mainly the senior classes. So it seemed quite unique to have him in Grade 9 for english.”
He was a great role model for a lot of people, Ebere added.
“When I was in high school I was definitely a quiet little shy kid and he definitely made everyone feel comfortable in the classroom. I appreciated how he got along with everyone. No matter if they were strong students or the loud kid, or the peculiar. He really got along with everybody. I guess that had an impact on me for sure. He was definitely a teacher you remember. I would say he had a positive impact on pretty much anyone he taught. I never heard a bad word about him, that’s for sure.”
Ebere said the last time he heard Cameron’s name was on an episode of Canadian Pickers about three or four years ago, when the program filmed an episode from Cameron’s house.
Ebere, who teaches history and social science at WDSS, said he was shocked to hear the news about Cameron’s death.
“I had a student ask me if I knew him because she had read something. It was definitely shocking news. I mean I hadn’t heard of him in a long time because he moved from the area so long ago. He retired I think right around when I was done high school. Well you don’t wish that on anyone, but it seems like it was something you would never hear about a former teacher that’s for sure.”
Cameron was also a municipal councillor in his community, where he also made an impact.
“Councillor Cameron was a well-respected two-term member of Mississippi Mills Council and served on many boards and committees, making significant contributions to the community over many years,” read a statement issued by the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.
“He and his family are longtime residents of Almonte. Many will also remember Councillor Cameron from his teaching days at Almonte and District High School where he had a positive influence on many generations of students. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family during this difficult time. We share in their grief and deeply mourn his loss.”
Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson was also taught by Cameron at CKSS.
Robertson posted a message on Facebook that Cameron wrote for him inside his high school yearbook.
“Best of luck Derek… don’t lose sight of what counts.”
Reports say Cameron also spent time in his career teaching in Wallaceburg and in Dresden.
– Photo credit: Municipality of Mississippi Mills
