Memorable Manitobans: Cameron Nelson Wilson “Cam” Shewan (1912-2001)

Cameron Nelson Wilson Shewan Click to enlarge

Fireman, athlete.

Born at Winnipeg on 26 December 1912, son of fireman Leslie Shewan (1882-1953) and Mary Adeline Cameron (?-1935), he attended the old St. John’s College School, St. John’s High School, and took three years of university studies. He played amateur hockey locally with the Winnipeg Monarchs in the 1930s, and later, in England before the Second World War, with the Wembley Lions in the All-Canadian British League, where he would meet his wife, Monica Rust Phyllis (1915-1996). The couple married in 1938 at St. John’s Cathedral and had one daughter, Lesley Jacqueline Shewan (wife of Leon Rouillier).

For a time, he worked as a Constable with the Investigative Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He joined the Winnipeg Fire Department in 1941, but shortly thereafter went to Europe, serving as a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He returned from active service and rejoined the Fire Department, where he would serve as Deputy Fire Chief before becoming Fire Chief of the Inner City Fire Department and the Unified Winnipeg Fire Department (1967-1977). He retired in December 1977, having served 37.5 years with the force and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal for his community service.

He died at the Grace Hospital on 6 July 2001.

Sources:

Birth registration, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Obituary [Mary Adaline Shewan], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 September 1935. page 5.

“Many attend funeral of Mrs L. Shewan,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 September 1935, page 13.

“Birthday congratulations to [Leslie Shewan],” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 September 1935, page 11.

Obituary [Leslie Shewan], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 1953, page 27.

“Engagements [Lesley Jacqueline Shewan],” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 April 1963, page 16.

“New Deputy acts for Fire Chief,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 September 1967, page 5.

“Shewan Unified Fire Chief,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 March 1973, page 3.

“Shewan nearly didn’t survive to tell his story,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 December 1977, page 9.

Obituary [Monica Phyllis], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 May 1996, page B5.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 July 2001, page C9.

We thank Larry Klassen and Lesley Rouillier for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 21 April 2020

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!