05/06/08

MASONIC MEDAL OF MERIT, Grand Lodge of Alberta

In the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masonic Fraternity we have brethren who toil behind the scenes, serving their lodges and communities quietly, with devotion and without stint year after year. Freemasons, who are in effect the strong arms, the steadfast pillars and the soul of the Masonic Order. One could say that:

A Freemason is a man who cares about his Freemasonry and who always handles himself in a manner that best exemplifies the principles and tenets of Freemasonry in the Lodge, in the Community. He is a Freemason, no matter whether Lodge is in session or not. Whatever, that’s what Freemasonry is. It’s a mindset.

The Masonic Year, 1992/1993, was the first year of formal operations for the Masonic Medal of Merit. Since that time Carstairs Lodge has been very blessed to have five (5) recipients.

Bro. Roger Anderson

Bro. Roger Anderson was initiated February 11, 1966 and was made a Master Mason March 25, 1966 in Wasatch Lodge No. 21, Salt Lake city, Utah.  He affiliated with Carstairs Lodge No. 20, November 8, 1984.  Previous to this, he spent several years as a member of the order of Demolay. After serving with the US army he worked several years in the Western States and Canada for Amoco. While Bro. Anderson has never served as Master, he has filled most appointed Lodge offices with distinction.  In particular, while serving as Registrar, he spent many hours working on the Historical Records of Carstairs Lodge, bringing them into excellent shape.  It is of interest to note that, when elected as Treasurer, he still continued to maintain the records of the Lodge.  Bro. Anderson has written and presented many evenings of Masonic Education and has assisted the Worshipful Master with great dedication.  His commitment has even extended to organizing the Lodge’s participation at Heritage Park. Bro Anderson is an active Shriner and participates regularly in the Shrine Circus.  He is Past President of the Shrine Clown Unit and participates in their parades and canvassing activities. In recognition of your exemplary service to the Craft and Community, the Grand Lodge of Alberta is pleased to present you with the Masonic Medal of Merit.

Presented by MWBro Basile Costouros Grand Master 14^th June 1997

MWBro Ronald J Coulson, GRS, RWBro Hugh Young DGM,

Bro Roger Anderson (20) MWBro Basile Costouros GM Alberta

Bro. Donald Abraham Sawatzky

Bro. Donald Abraham Sawatzky first became a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 54 in 1973 and affiliated with Carstairs Lodge No. 20 in 1997.  He was born in Calgary July 16, 1933 and attended Crescent Heights High School where he met his wife Lois.  They were married in 1954 and have two sons, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He is a charter member of McDougall United Church and chairman of the board.   He was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125^th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation for making a significant contribution to Canada, the Community and his Fellow Canadians. As an employee of the Calgary Fire Department since 1953, he implemented a disaster plan for the city and coordinated the development of the Bow River Emergency Response Plan.  He retired in 1989 after thirty-six years of service but continues on as chairman of the Calgary Firefighters Credit Union Scholarship Committee and the Firefighters Pensioners Banquet Committee, which positions he has held for over twenty years. Through the Fire Department he has had a long association with the Boy Scouts and worked in the Christmas Project, repairing toys for needy children, and Santa Claus, now dubbed as “the Santa of Calgary” for the last forty-seven years. In 1949, Bro. Sawatzky joined the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and in 1974 was admitted into the Venerable Order of St. John as a Serving Brother, being promoted to Officer in 1978, and Knight in 1994.  On May 14, 2001 he was presented with a special award for service of over fifty years.  He is an active Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Al Azhar Clown Unit whose president he was in 1983.  He currently serves as treasurer.  Our Brother has always been very supportive of his Lodge.  He never aspired to the East, but rather has assisted in floor work and acted as Tyler for many years.  In Carstairs Lodge he established himself as the stalwart Steward, assisting wherever and whenever asked to help.  He was honored by the Worshipful Master with an award of appreciation in February 2001.

Presented by MWBro Gerald T Webber Grand Master 9^th June 2001

RWBro Vic Ramsbottom, RWBro Chuck Stuart (23 & Fireman) WBro Doug Ramsbottom, Bro Don Sawatsky, Bro Roger Anderson (Grand Chaplain), Bro Rob Carver (JW).

Present but not in photo:- RWBro Ed Murray, VWBro Stan Pearson, WBro Kimberley Greenizan, WBro Laurie Dirks, WM (20).

Bro. John Thomas “Jack” Owen

Bro. John Thomas “Jack” Owen was initiated, passed and raised in Freemasonry in Carstairs Lodge No. 20 in 1988.  His outstanding contribution to Carstairs Lodge for the past fourteen years has been characterized by 100% attendance and flawless demeanor.  He continually excels in the administrative support of the activities of the Lodge, which provides an example to be imitated by all the Brethren.

A relatively personal individual who shuns publicity, he has never expressed a desire to progress through the chairs, but frequently is call upon to fill the chair of an absent Steward, which he accomplishes with considerable poise and dignity.  On Lodge nights he always arrives early and prepares the Lodge for the labors of the evening.  When the meeting ends, he assists in stowing the equipment as required.  At the festive board following each meeting, he assists the Junior Warden by preparing and serving the meal, and never leaves until everything is clean and back in its place.  He has the additional responsibility of publishing the monthly Lodge summons, which he does for the cost of material only, thus saving the Lodge hundreds of dollars each year.

As a businessman he is often called on to provide his knowledge and experience relative to financial concerns of the Lodge, which is very much appreciated.  This Mason gives freely of his time and expertise, not for himself, but for the love of the fraternity which is abundantly exemplified by his dedication and devotion to the ancient landmarks and fundamental principles of the Masonic order.

Bro. Owen is an active member of several business related associations, the Craftsman Club, the Graphic Arts Association, the Canadian Association of Printers and the Highwood Community Association.  He publishes the weekly community letter free of charge, along with the Highwood Breeze, a local newsletter.  His membership in these organizations finds him traveling periodically throughout the country, responding to the requirements and needs of his business associates in other provinces.  His regular attendance, with his wife, at the community Church reflects his relationship with the deity and his devotion.  Bro Owen has been active in the Boy Scout movement and makes donations to various charities through his business and at his residence.

Bro, Owen has “quietly moved in the sphere of his life”, helped where needs be, and, having given that help, moved on.  He is that Mason we all strive to be, retiring and private, not casting a shadow but spreading light with his quiet works.

Presented by MWBro Douglas N Troock Grand Master 15^th June 2002

Bro. Dr. Arnold R. Murray

Bro. Arnold R. Murray was initiated Grand Prairie Lodge No. 105, April 24, 1975, and affiliated Carstairs Lodge No. 20, March 24, 1998.  He has served his lodge in many offices and on many occasions, currently occupying the chair of Junior Steward.  No matter which office or duty, he performs all of his tasks with dignity and dispatch.  During the festive board he sees to the welfare of his Lodge members with great care.  He and his wife attend all Lodge functions very faithfully.   Bro. Murray is a very dedicated Freemason and an asset to the Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity.

Our Brother is very active in community affairs and organizations related to his professional life.  Dr. Murray is a life member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and a life member of the Alberta and Canadian Medical Associations.  He has served on the local school board and as an elder in his church.  He found time to help initiate the Lions Club in his community and to be a member of the Rotary Club.  He is a sustaining member of the Paul Harris Fellowship.  Arnold Murray was instrumental in the establishment of the Inglewood Wildlife Park through the Rotary Club of Calgary.  He helped to establish the Family Services Association, forerunner of the Social Services in Alberta.  He has also served on several boards reviewing support services and curriculum relating to his profession.

Bro. Murray has served as President of his Shrine Temple’s Clown Unit, and is a very active member participating in all of the parades, circus and other move-outs.  He is presently his Shrine Temple’s hospital representative, a very demanding task, as the Temple has over 300 patients being actively supported in conjunction with the Shiners’ Hospital Program.  The duties include identifying patients who can be assisted by medical care within the expertise of the Shrine hospital, arranging transportation, evaluation of the medical situation and follow-up with the patients.  He is a very dedicated Mason and is equally dedicated to all other activities in which he is involved.  Where he sees a need, he applies his talents and solves the problem

Presented by MWBro Dr. Terrance A Drolet Grand Master 14^th June 2003

Brother Clayton Edmond Bailey

Bro.Clayton Edmond Bailey was initiated passed and raised in Carstairs Lodge No 20. He has been and still is a regular attendee at all Lodge meetings and functions. Carstairs being a country Lodge, he soon saw that there was always a rush to get the Lodge set up and the meeting started on time. He took upon himself the administrative function of setting up the Lodge and cleaning up after, to be the first to arrive and last to leave.  The Lodge became to know him as a mason who will work tirelessly in the background, never bring attention to himself or to the contributions he makes to the Lodge or to the area in which he lives. Bro Bailey is currently Lodge Secretary/Treasurer and on the second Thursday of each month faithfully arrives in the morning to set up the Lodge and prepare for the meeting.

He is also very active in other concordant bodies and the community, displaying his talents. Brother Clayton Bailey was born 01 March 1936 in the district of Tamiskaming, Northern Ontario. He attended school in Brandford, Ontario. Enlisted in the RCAF, May 1954, he progressed through the ranks holding various supervisory positions. Before retirement in 1985, he was the Base Chief Warrant Officer at Summerside, Prince Edward Island. After a short stint with the Air Reserve and Corps of Commissioners, he moved west to Airdrie Alberta, where he has made his mark in the community. Bro. Bailey married Miss Patricia Rose Rigglesford of Brandford, Ontario, 04 June 1954. They have one son Dale Guy and one daughter Marla Dawn, along with four grandchildren they enjoy.

At the 100th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, Bro Clayton Edmond Bailey was awarded the Medal of Merit. There was only a “Token Presentation”, to one brother. MWBro, Rex Dawson, Grand Master, made his official visit to the “Open Air Lodge” of Acme Lodge No 60, Saturday 16^th July 2005. At this time he presented Bro Bailey with his Medal of Merit.

Bro Clayton Bailey also received a similar award from the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Alberta at the Ninety-First Annual Convocation at Camrose Alberta, 14^th May 2005. “The International Bronze Award”

ACME LODGE NO 60 Grand Masters Visit

(Out Door Lodge)

Front:-MWBro Robert L Costigan (22) PGM, RWBro James Ratchford (123), DDGM Dinosaur District, RWBro Malcolm Berry (23) DGM, MWBro Rex Dawson GM, RWBro John Hart (9) JGW, RWBro Richard Hopkins (165) DDGM Phoenix District, MWBro Calvin Shaver (176) PGM. 

Back:-VWBro Marvyn Rogers (71) Grand Organist, VWBro Lee Bamber (171 Grand Steward, VWBro Bob Jones (114) Jr Grand Deacon, VWBro Allan Long (165) Grand Pursuivant,  VWBro Don Gillies (118) Grand D of C, Bro Clayton Bailey (20) Medal of Merit recipient, RWBro Jerry Kopp (36) Grand Secretary.