B.C. man pleads for return of stolen camera with photos of late wife

Victoria Times Colonist
November 6, 2009

James Robertson with a photograph of his wife Laura Ramsay, who died this week. The Nanaimo, B.C. man is begging a thief to return his stolen camera. it contains hundreds of pictures of his late wife, including some from some of their recent marriage after nearly three decades as a couple.

Photo by: Danielle Bell

VICTORIA — Faced with the loss of hundreds of photos from the last weeks of his wife's life, James Robertson is begging the person who stole his camera to return it.

James Robertson of Nanaimo, B.C. discovered that his camera had been stolen from his pickup truck, which was parked outside his home on Oct. 9.

"I was absolutely crushed," said the 61-year-old retired social worker.

He reported it to Nanaimo RCMP.

Last week, Robertson's wife, Laura Ramsay, who suffered from diabetes for 30 years, died, making the photos stored on the camera's memory card all the more precious. He decided to make a public plea for the camera's safe return.

"If it appeared on my doorstep in a waterproof container, I would be so grateful," he said.

Robertson said after 28 years together, he and Ramsay got married in August 2008 and he had yet to download the photos from the wedding.

There are also photos from their last vacation together, a fishing trip to Qualicum Beach that included happy moments with the couple's six grandchildren, as well as time spent on the water.

Anyone with information can contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.Robertson said the camera was kept in a distinct "African-style" bag made of woven hemp with black and tan zebra stripes.

Anyone with information can contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.