Alfred Station, New York
Donald W. “Don” Cameron – 89 – of Water Wells Road, Alfred Station, NY, died Wednesday afternoon
(September 27, 2023) at Highland Hospital in Rochester, following a brief illness.
Born in Winchester, MA on March 18, 1934, he was the son of Arthur & Kathleen (Morse) Cameron.
Don grew up in Winchester, MA where he graduated from high school (class of 1951). He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Massachusetts and his Master’s Degree from Alfred University.
He was a Veteran of the US Army and, following his honorable discharge, resided in Angelica, NY where he helped his father and his uncle Henry with the farm. Unfortunately Don became allergic to cows which turned his vocation to teaching. While in Angelica and later in Whitesville, he taught a variety of classes including Science, Math and Shop.
He was married on August 10, 1963 to the former Sandra “Sandy” Buchholz who survives. Don & Sandy moved to the Alfred / Alfred Station area in 1963, and were members there of both the Methodist and the Union University Church. They both had a deep love of the Alfred area and were very “community minded.” Don was a member of the Alfred Lions Club, the Alfred Housing Committee and the Alfred 21st Century Group of which he had been a past president.
For many years, Don served as Director of Admissions at Alfred State College (SUNY Alfred), retiring in 1990. Following his “retirement,” Don & Sandy purchased the Canacadea Country Store in Alfred Station and have operated the business since that time. They are genuinely grateful for the many friends that they have made while in business.
Surviving are Don’s wife, Sandy Cameron of Alfred Station; his sister, Marjorie (Ted) Crowell of Wellsville; 4 nieces, Pamela Crowell Ketchner, Jennifer Gonska, Heather Crowell Farr and Megan Crowell Shear, his great nephews Dalton and Brady and his great niece Cameron. Don was dearly loved by Sandy’s “Buchholz” family which included Dick and Jo-Ann, Vaughn and Becky, Judy and Bob and Cheryl and Bob and their children.
Don leaves his dear cats KC and Mouse and little dog, Winston. He loved all animals and birds.
At Don’s request there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at the Union University Church of Alfred on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM with Bob Donius officiating.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Don’s family request that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name be made to the SPCA of Allegany County, 1374 State Route 19, Wellsville, NY 14895 or to American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or to the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14620.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
My condolences to Don’s family and friends. Don worked with my father at Alfred State College before he and Sandy opened the Canacadea Country Store. I always found him to be a kind, caring gentleman who always greeted me with a smile and asked about my parents whenever I stopped in the store on my many visits back home to Andover. He was kind, had a good sense of humor, and was so knowledgeable about a variety of things. He will be missed and is a loss to his family and to the community. Deepest sympathies.
Don: one of the finest gentlemen I had the honor and pleasure to call a friend.
A kind, caring man who loved his family and community. Rest In Peace .
Bill, Joy, Krista, and Kara Carlson are deeply saddened of the news of Don’s passing. For the 35 years that we lived in Alfred, the “Bear Store,” as we called it, was always a favorite place for unique gifts and good conversation! Don’s wry sense of humor always made us chuckle! His knowledge of antiques was quite vast! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I have many memories of shopping there with my Mom. How she loved that store.Very kind man. My sympathy to the family
A wonderful friend and ASC colleague! The Alfred community will miss him.
We always enjoyed visiting the country store and Don was always so kind to us as fellow business owners and antiques collectors. Don created a wonderful, unique shop filled with treasures & kitties. We loved it all. When I’m the area we always stopped for something- an antique from the case, a coverlet from the upstairs, a new addition to our Christmas display or delicious Cretekos candy! We treasure some of our finds there and will think of him when we dust them in the future. We always enjoyed our visits and chats with Don. Sending thoughts of sympathy to his wife Sandy & to the ladies manning the store. John & Dean, Palmyra,NY
My husband and I lived across the street from the CCS since 1972 and were glad to see Don and Sandy take over the declining business, turning it into a great draw for me and so many others from near and far. It indeed was a pillar of our little neighborhood. We shared a love of cats and I am grateful for his granting shelter for more than one feral or deserted cat roaming our side of Main Street, most recently Buddy and Momma. I offer deep condolences to Sandy and the kitties…. it was a good run for all of us.
Our condolences to Sandy and extended family. Always a pleasure to visit the store (he even bought one of our cash registers!), enjoy his sense of humor. He will be missed at house sales where we often discussed our purchases.
A pillar of the community.
Deborah Soule and Jerry Esposito
Don was a good guy and a great friend. He will be missed by many. Praying for Sandy and other friends and family today