Edward McCluskey

Cameron McCluskey, Beloved Patriarch & Friend Edward James Cameron (Cam) McCluskey, 85, was born February 26, 1929 in Toronto, Canada and passed away April 29, 2014 in Palmdale, Calif. Cameron is survived by his wife of 32 years, Christine Marie McCluskey, and children Garry James McCluskey (Arja) of Rudyard, Michigan, and Mary Jane McCluskey Sjogren (Steve), Colleen Sue McCluskey Hamilton-Hart, Kathleen Ann McCluskey Wilson (Kendrick), Robert Preston Newkirk (Tara), and Heather Dawn Newkirk, all of Southern Calif.,  as well as 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Cameron is also survived by brother Garry McCluskey (Gloria), of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and sister Dorothy Jane McCluskey, of Toronto, Canada, cousin Donald McCluskey (Barbara), of Brea, Calif. and many dear nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  Cameron is preceded in death by parents Edward James (Eddie) and Mary Jane (Jennie) McCluskey and first wife, Kathleen Hannah Riseborough McCluskey (1969). Cameron moved from Canada to Los Angeles, Calif in 1950 , and quickly became acclimated to Southern California. Always a go-getter, he opened Buffalo Bills Wild West Restaurant in the City of Orange during the 1960’s, took his family on camping trips to see the Sierras, Yosemite, the Sequoias, old gold-mining towns, the beach, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, horse-back riding and other California favorites. Cameron moved to the Antelope Valley over 40 years ago.   He met and married Christine in 1981, and their’s was the first wedding performed by his newly ordained and nervous son-in-law!  Cam and his wife, Chris loved traveling and were founding members of the Phun Time PT Cruiser Car Club, and participated proudly with their “Elvis Presley inspired” PT cruiser in many local parades. Cam and Chris loved traveling, and some highlights include Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, New Orleans, cruising down the Columbia River through Portland, OR, touring the San Juan Islands, and most recently ferry boating down the Mississippi River, from St Paul, Minn to Memphis. Cameron was an avid LA Kings Hockey fan , often buying season tickets with co-workers and seeing as many games as possible. Wayne Gretzky dubbed him the #1 LA Kings Fan of Calif, in a personal video during his final days. An avid traveler and lifelong learner, Cameron never met a stranger .  His saying: “The cream always rises to the top,” meant that those who worked hard would be noticed, even if they start out in obscure positions.  This was true in his life.  Cameron had a twinkle in his eye when bad weather was forecast , as his company got down to business after fires, floods and freezing weather. Upon retiring from Farmers Insurance Group at age 65, Cameron went on to dominate the ServPro business in the Antelope Valley and beyond. His business expertise, hard work and great management of people helped him to rapidly expand to three franchises before retiring again. You might have purchased fireworks or a rubber duckie from Cam, as he was an active Kiwanis member and volunteer, past Kiwanis President, former Elks member, member of both Lancaster and Palmdale Chambers of Commerce, active in Casa and Mended Hearts, active in E Clampis Vitus , and was also an Air Force Veteran, serving during the Korean War. Even more than his service to the community, Cameron was very proud of his family , and was a great source of wisdom and encouragement to all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was also very proud of his wife Chris’s achievements as a Hospital Volunteer and member of the Auxiliary at Palmdale Regional Medical Center (PRMC), and her leadership as Local Queen of the Red Hot Sassy Lassies.  Their passion for education drives the request that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the PRMC Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, in memory of Cam McCluskey. Cam’s ever-present smile and warm greeting will be missed by all. Services will be held at Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Palmdale, Calif on Friday, May 2, at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at Gino’s Italian Restaurant, 819 W. Palmdale Blvd in Palmdale. 16 Grandchildren:  Christine Kay Hamilton Brown, 36 Jonathan Michael Joonas McCluskey, 35 Timothy Bryan Doull, 35 James Frederick McCluskey, 34 Rebekah Jane Sjogren Osypian, 33 Marika Elaine Laura Glenna Sjogren, 31 Diana Lynn Doull, 30 Matthew Scott Doull, 28 Jonathan Cody Sjogren, 23 Anne Michaela McCluskey, 22 Sherry Lynn Ely Gidney, 21 Cathleen Cadence Ely, 20 (d. 2012) Christina Jane McCluskey, 19 Hannah Leigh Newkirk, 15 Preston Phoenix Newkirk, 8   17 Great Grandchildren: Javan Hunter Brown, 15 Caleb Jeffery Brown, 12 Elias Rodrick Brown, 9 Peyton Mackenzie Doull, 9 Austin Bradley Thornton, 8 Trevor Bryan Doull, 7 Jonathan Michael Joonas II McCluskey, 7 Genevieve Grace Brown,  7 Dylan Isabella Thornton, 6 Jude Isaac Daniel McCluskey, 5 Lucas James Doull, 5 Wyatt Matix Thornton, 4 Kaitlyn  Nicole (Katie) Gilbert, 4 Alaina Katherine McCluskey, 2 Michael Gino Gilbert, 2 Emmett Elijah Doull, 10 months Avery James Osypian, 4 months Gilbert, 32