November 5, 2018

John H. Cameron Jr., 55, of Kennett Square, died suddenly at home Sunday, Oct. 28. He was the beloved husband of Karen Kayatta Cameron with whom he shared 20 years of marriage.  He was the son of Marilyn “Bunny” Murphy Cameron of Oxford, and John H. Cameron, Sr. and his wife, Glenda, of Palm City, Fla.

John was a 1981 graduate of Unionville High School. He served our country as a submariner in the United States Navy from 1983 – 1987 on the USS Skate and the USS Swordfish. John was always very patriotic and was honored to participate in Veterans Day celebrations at Madeleine and Holly’s school.

As a young boy, John started working in his family’s heating and air conditioning business, John H. Cameron and Sons. He worked in the company in different capacities until he found his true calling, sales. After his father sold their family business, John went on to work for Conectiv Services in Wilmington, DE (1996 – 1999) and then Service Experts in Danbury, Conn. in 1999. From 2000 – 2009 he was a salesman for Oliver Heating and Cooling in Morton. Since 2009, he was the sales manager at Horizon Services. John was a key member of Horizon’s executive management team, leading their expansion in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Additionally, John was directly involved in the development of the Horizon sales process, building of the sales staff, and determining the direction and culture of their Comfort Consultants.  John was well known and respected in the HVAC industry throughout the United States.

His professional affiliations include Sandler Sales Corporation President’s Club, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, Home Depot HVAC Sales Boot Camp and extensive Dale Carnegie Courses.

John was a cherished friend to all who were fortunate enough to know him. His charm, hard work ethic, and unique ability to inspire others will be his legacy.

John was a diehard Eagles and Phillies fanatic, a classic car enthusiast, and a Rolling Stones fan. He especially enjoyed sharing a glass of Laphroaig Scotch with close friends. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shrine Noble, and past member of St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia. John was a proud past member of the Longwood Rotary Club and would have liked to have remained an active member if not for the increasing demands of his job.

John loved WWII history, was proud of his Scottish heritage and had a thirst for knowledge. He was always looking for his next non-fiction or leadership audiobook for his many hours on the road.  John was dedicated to daily exercise and loved going to the gym. While John was committed to many things, it was clear to everyone who knew him, that there was nothing more important than his wife, Karen, and his daughters, Madeleine Ava and Holly Grace.

In addition to Karen, Madeleine and Holly, John is survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. Jerome and Mary Grace Kayatta, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lynne and Dominic Kayatta; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kristen and Gary Pierce; his brother Drew and his partner Kim Nashed; his sister Heather and husband Rick Treml and seven nieces and nephews, Sophia, Nicholas, Emily, Andrew, Amanda, Paige and Tyler.  He was predeceased by his brother Ron in 2006.

You are invited to visit with John’s family and friends from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Mendenhall Inn (Grand Ballroom), 323 Kennett Pike, (Route 52) Mendenhall, PA 19317.

During the visitation, we invite you to share a brief memory of John which will be video recorded. A memorial service in celebration of John’s life with full military honors will follow at 11.

Because so many of John & Karen’s family, friends, co-workers, and industry colleagues have made heartwarming requests to support John’s family now and going forward, contributions may be made in his memory to the Madeleine & Holly Cameron Education Fund.  Click here: https://paypal.me/pools/c/89eiY0w3pQ

This will ensure John’s light continues to shine brightly through his girls and the impact they WILL HAVE on the world. Arrangements are by Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square, PA. Condolences at www.griecocares.com

died peacefully on Aug. 31, at Friends Home in Kennett Square, where she resided for nearly two years. Shirley was born on Nov. 7, 1934, in Connellsville, the eldest of 11 children to Raymond and Emma Widdowson.

She met her dear husband, Peter, in Pittsburgh while attending Shadyside School of Nursing, where she obtained her RN degree. They married on Jan. 6, 1956. They were married nearly 61 years until his death in December of 2016.

Shirley is survived by her four children: Jon(Agnes) Carlson, Pete Carlson, Sandie (Nick) Grieshaber and Barbara (Roger) Pauly; her grandchildren: Andrew Carlson, Matthew, Julia and Chloe Grieshaber and Magnus and Trevor Pauly; brothers: Stanley, Arthur, Charles, Paul and David and sisters: Linda and Leslie. In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was predeceased by her brothers Allen, Harry and Kelly.

Shirley received her bachelor of science degree in nursing at Ohio University in 1980 while residing in Parkersburg, WVa. While living in West Virginia, she also served as president of the League of Women Voters and the Mental Health Association. As a member of the Board of Health, she took pride in her meetings with Jay Rockefeller, governor of West Virginia during that time, as she pushed for legislation on the Clean Air Act and rights for the disabled, among other issues. She was an advocate for those with intellectual disabilities and hosted Christmas parties for them in her home for many years.

Following Peter’s return to the DuPont Experimental Station in 1984, Shirley worked for 10 years as a psychiatric nurse at Paoli Hospital. Shirley brought smiles to everyone she met and was a friend to all. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother and most especially a grandmother. She absolutely adored her grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Friends Home of Kennett Square for the kind compassionate care they gave our mom during the past two years.

There will be a Memorial Service in celebration of Shirley’s life on Saturday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to CureAlz.org.