SPRINGFIELD – Donald F. Cameron, 87, of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his caregivers. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on August 1, 1925, a son of the late Donald and Aloyse M. (Caffrey) Cameron. At a young age, he came to Springfield where he graduated from Cathedral High School and remained a resident of the city for the remainder of his life. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during World War II where he attained the rank of Electrician’s Mate Second Class. He served aboard the USS Markab and received the American Area Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield where he furthered his education at Springfield Technical Community College and Western New England College where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. He was employed for many years as a Patrolman and retired from the Detective Bureau at the Springfield Police Department. He served his community for over 33 years before retiring around 1980. Donald coached Little League Baseball for many years in Springfield and was a member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield. Active in his faith, he was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. He was a quiet man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Theresa B. (Jankauskas) Cameron. They were married on May 7, 1949 at Holy Trinity Church in Hartford, Connecticut and were blessed with over 63 years of happiness together. He also leaves: his loving children, Frances Anne Cameron of Van Nuys, CA and Donald F. Cameron, Jr. of Westfield, MA; his cherished granddaughter, Allison Cameron Gray of Sherman Oaks, CA; his dear sisters-in-law, Irene Petkaitis and her husband, George, of West Hartford, CT and Elizabeth Yankauskas of New York, NY; his dear brother-in-law, Raymond Yankauskas of Granby, CT; and his many dear nephews and nieces. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, January 28, 2013, beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with Military Honors will follow the Mass at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, January 27, 2013, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com