Cameron C. Johnson

Cameron Cuthbert Johnson was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 10, 1925, son of Lila and Charles Johnson - both born in Barbados. Cameron, their fourth child and first son was named after his father, Charles Cameron Johnson. 

Cameron was a Brooklynite through and through. He lived in Brownsville until the family moved to Bed Stuy. He graduated from Boys High and went on to Sampson College in Hobart, New York, where he majored in Science. 

Cameron is a World War II Veteran and was stationed in the Asia Pacific. He received medals for sharp shooting and good conduct.  After the war, Cameron became a chemist at Schaffer Brewery in Brooklyn. He also met the love of his life, Thelma Cotton, while singing together in the Citywide choir. While Cameron was a fantastic singer, it was Thelma who would go on to audition for the Metropolitan Opera. 

Thelma and Cameron got married on July 25, 1953 and made their life together in Brooklyn. Their daughters, Neille Cheryl and Leslie Allegra provided them with infinite joy. Cameron’s family was the center of his life and he loved hosting parties and family gatherings in their grand brownstone on Clinton Avenue. 

Cameron was an avid handball player and loved baseball. After retiring from Schaffer, he enjoyed a second and very successful career in real estate. Later in life, after he and Thelma purchased a vacation home in Southhold, Long Island, he became the proud owner of a sail boat and enjoyed taking his family out to enjoy the Long Island Sound. He also relished bringing the bounty of Long Island’s harvest to his extended family in Brooklyn. 

Cameron lifted the spirits of every room he entered with his humor.  His laugh was infectious and whether he was telling a story, delivering a joke or enjoying someone else’s, he was always available to share a laugh and a sip of Sugar Cane Brandy from Barbados. 

Cameron was blessed with loving family including his four siblings: Edward, Allegra Brown, Daphney and Bernice. His legacy includes his grandchildren and their partners: Dwight, Kibebe, Melanie and Leeandra; one great grandson, Cameron. His nieces and nephews: Paula, Leah, Sheldon, Michael, Jeffrey and his son-in-law, Melvin Ricks. 

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