William Camargo

William A. Camargo, 79, of Barto, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 28th surrounded by loved ones. He was the husband of Mary I. (McAdam) Camargo, sharing almost 55 years of marriage. Bill was born Guillermo Andres Camargo Vallejo in Bogota, Colombia to the late Guillermo Andres Camargo and Sofia Vallejo Jaramillo de Camargo.

Bill came to the United States in 1952 with his mother and sister and settled in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from City College of New York. Bill worked as the Head of the Spanish Department at the Henry George School in New York City where he began his ardent support for the philosophy of Henry George. After the birth of his children, Bill began working in the hotel business, a career that took the family to live in exotic locations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, New Jersey and the British Virgin Islands.

Bill left the hotel business in 1984 and settled in Pennsylvania where he followed his passion for helping people. He worked several years with the mentally disabled before returning to college and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Muhlenberg College where he was inducted into the National Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi. Bill also earned a Master of Social Work from Marywood University, receiving recognition as a member of Alpha Epsilon Lambda for outstanding scholarship and leadership. After receiving his Masters, Bill became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Bill felt the most work satisfaction during this time, working for ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens), YAP (Youth Advocacy Program), HADC (Housing Association & Development Corporation) and volunteering at Stevens’ Place.

Bill was a good listener to everyone he met from family and friends to strangers alike. With Bill at the head, the Camargo kitchen table was never without lively, often hysterical, conversation. Even his children's friends enjoyed their chats with “Mr. C.” and many of his nephews and nieces still speak about his positive influence on their life. Although one of Bill's common messages was about the importance of education, his primary message was always about love; both love of one's neighbor and love of one's self. Bill was not one to push any one religion but you could see his Jesuit upbringing as he lived his life according to Matthew 22 Verse 39, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Bill also strongly agreed with the wisdom of William Shakespeare's words, "To thine own self be true."

In his spare time Bill was passionate about classical music, collecting nearly 1000 LPs, and later CDs and DVDs. He was also an avid reader and generally read two or three books at a time. Once a “football” player himself, Bill enjoyed watching soccer and during the World Cup he would keep a schedule on the refrigerator so important games for the Colombian and US teams were never missed. Bill also spoke five languages and routinely answered every question on Jeopardy (with a little help from his wife).

Surviving along with his wife, are his three children William Gabriel Camargo, Susana Irene Pohl and husband Robert James Pohl, and Robert Andrew Camargo; seven grandsons Charles Franklin Camargo, 14, Michael Edward Pohl, 11, Andrew Raymond Pohl, 11, Henry Emmet Camargo, 10, Gabriel Breyer Camargo, 8, James Robert Camargo, 4, and Thomas Andrew Camargo, 2; and also many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his beloved siblings, Alberto, Gabriel, and Sophie Camargo.

Viewing hours will be on Tuesday, June 4th beginning at 9:30 AM. There will be a service to follow at 11 AM. Both the viewing and service will be at Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, 222 Washington Street, East Greenville, PA 18041 (https://www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com).

There will be a graveside service to follow at St. Paul’s Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605 (https://www.gethcem.com/). Guests are invited to the Camargo Homestead in Barto following the services for a celebratory meal in Bill’s honor.

Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org / 800-272-3900) or The Henry George Institute (http://www.henrygeorge.org/bob/pay-annual-hgi-dues/).