Lewis Cameron, 88, of Sanibel Florida passed away peacefully in the company of those who loved him most on Wednesday November 16. Born in a house in Cove Bay, Aberdeen, Scotland on November 25, 1933 he was the oldest son of the late Lewis Will Cameron and Jemima Cameron. He is survived by Linda Cameron, his devoted wife of more than 60 years; his four sisters Marjorie, Irene, Lorna and Valerie; his brother Stewart; his four sons Gordon, David, Jon and Joel; his six granddaughters Ali, Brianna, Ashley, Lexi, Sarah and Isabelle; and two great grandsons.

After completing 8th grade, it was decided that Lewis would be most successful as a brick mason, and so his lifelong love of bricks and mortar began. He was a member of the Scottish military where he served two years as a member of the Cameron Highlanders peacekeeping force in Korea. Although the family asked, Lewis would never disclose what he wore under his kilt while in the military.

In the late 1950s, Lewis came to the United States where he met his wife Linda, and ultimately became a citizen of the country he loved so much. Lewis was a determined father who tried his best to have successful children. He took his children to church twice on Sundays, read them bible stories and hit them over the head with the bible (or an abacus) if they could not answer basic questions. Occasionally Lewis would “accidentally” leave one of his sons at church in the care of the pastor until they returned for the evening service.

Lewis was a renowned brick mason throughout the United States. He started out as a member of the Bricklayers Union, Manhattan Local and worked on the construction of Lincoln Center and other high rise buildings in New York City. While living in New Jersey he owned a small business, Cameron Construction. The culmination of his career as a brick mason came in 1989, when he was he was 55 years old; first he won the regional Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition and then went on to win second place in the National competition in Las Vegas. In 1990 he returned to again win the regional Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition. Lewis then moved to Sanibel Florida to enjoy retirement at the beach. However, he was never seen in a bathing suit and when he did go to the beach he always wore shoes and socks. He holds the Cameron family record of catching the most catfish while fishing at the beach.

Graveside services will be held for friends and family on Wednesday November 30 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Gardens in Fort Myers. Donations in Lewis’ name can be made to the Dementia Society of America or to Hope Hospice.