Father Hilary J. Cameron

Please join in praying for the repose of the soul of Father Hilary J. Cameron, a priest of the Diocese of Portland, who died on Tuesday, October 5, at the age of 87. 

Father Hilary was born to Henry and Mary (Kirlin) Cameron in October 1933 in the town of Houlton Where he attended St. Mary's School and then Houlton High School. After receiving a bachelor's degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, he began a teaching career, first at Presque Isle High School and then at the junior high in Bath, followed by the high school in Edmeston, New York.

It was there that he discerned his vocation to the priesthood, and in 1960, he began philosophical and theological studies at St. Paul's Seminary and University in Ottawa, Ontario.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Daniel J. Feeney on May 16, 1964, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Father Cameron's pastoral assignments included:

1964 - Assistant pastor at St. Dominic Parish in Portland
1964 - Assistant pastor, then temporary administrator at St. Bernard Parish in Rockland
1968 - Assistant pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland
1969 - Temporary administrator of St. Pius X Parish in Portland
1972 - Assistant pastor, then temporary administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Gardiner
1975 – Assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Bangor
1976 – Temporary administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belfast
1977 – Pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Benedicta
1979 – Pastor of St. Denis Parish in Fort Fairfield
1986 – Pastor of St. Martha Parish in Kennebunkport
1995 – Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Berwick.
2001 – Pastor of St. Michael Parish in South Berwick, in addition to his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish.

In addition to his parish assignments, Father Cameron was named to the Diocesan Board of Education in 1972.

He retired from active ministry in 2004.