From our early records:

March 2, 1956 – The first meeting of Joseph A. Heam Lodge under dispensation was held with V.W. Bro. James Clelland as Master, in this very room:

October 12, 1956 – Ceremony of Consecration and Dedication of Joseph A. Heam Lodge. M.W. Bro. Joseph Alonzo Heam, I.P.G.M. assumed the Chair. The first official visit- of the D.D.G.M. was on 1^st June 1956, and the first visitation to another lodge – Southgate Lodge, was on·3^rd April 1956.

An interesting encounter: (An Anecdote from our late Bro. Maarten van Wamelen) and I quote “In 1960, I was Tyler of this Lodge; the first office on-the·then eight years long ladder to Worshipful Master. It was March and the DDGM’s visit. I had just admitted the Right Worshipful Sir and his escort into the Lodge room and was·still standing there, with my. sword in position, all alone in-the anteroom. Suddenly there was a knock on the outer door and two young men, neatly dressed entered and stared at me. Timidly one said finally: “Father, is this the hall where the catholic Youth Club meets?” I hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say but finally answered: “No, my son, this is the wrong meeting place for you, this is the Masonic Temple, you better go to the building across the road.” (It is good to know your neighbours)”

On a sad note: Summer 1-983 – Our. Lodge was in. shock By a tragic incident, Barbara Tumbun, the daughter of our W. Bro. Bob- Turnbull, was-left paralyzed after being shot at a Becker’s Milk Store in Mississauga, were she was employed. What starting off as a Lodge Project became a Masonic Foundation Project, and a special fund was established. This Fund raised in one year over $ 43,000 which enabled Barbara to receive a Van to make her mobile, and to clear the home mortgage. Notwithstanding her handicap, Barbara became a brilliant student. Later she became a journalist and a writer, and a well known lawyer and advocate.

Some Lodge logistics Our founders, or to use the correct terminology “Charter Members”, brought to their new Lodge their expertise as Masons from all across Canada. They established the Lodge on a sound financial footing, which enabled us to weather our difficult times in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Lodge had 68 Charter Members, representing 54 different lodges, of which 10 went on to become Master. They were:

W. Bros. – James Clelland,

• Raymond Flynn, and –
• Lionel Inns.

Bros. – George Poyner,

• Gordon Leadbetter,
• Alan Macdonald,
• Sherman Piper,
• James G. Betts,
• Douglas MacDonald, and –
• Lynn Watson.

W. Bro. Brian WaJsh was our first Affiliate and became the 3^rd Master of the Lodge. Bro. Lloyd G. Pearl, our 12^th Master, was our first Initiate to become Master. Forty-eight (48) Brothers have served as Master of the Lodge. Three of these Brethren sat in the chair of King Solomon two full years. Over the years, our Lodge has gone through many ups and downs. Fortunately, when we have been down, we have been saved by the affiliation of well skilled Masons. In 1978 – Bros. – Alex. Grant,

• Chrys Lewis,
• Louis Primeau, and –
• Douglas Weaver, came to the rescue.

Later on we were aided by the affiliations of

• Victor C. Williams
• Chesley Patten,
• David Schick,
• Hans . Sanders,
• Amo Boehnke, and –
• William Elliot; each of whom made a significant contribution to the health of our lodge.

We have talked about- members who have made significant contributions to this lodge. But there is-one quiet, unassuming member, without whom we would be lost, that man is V.W. Bro. Ivan C. Furlong. He has been an active member since his initiation into the lodge in 1963. He was Master in 1975. His attendance has been exemplary and his participation unmatched. He is the only member of this Lodge word perfect in each of the three Degrees, and without advance notice. I don’t know how he does it, as nobody has ever seen him with a book of the Work. (PRESENTER):   – Bro. Furlong – WELL DONEi     (APPLAUSE) Lodge membership has fluctuated widely over the years. From our sixty­ eight.(68).Charter Members, membership increased steadily to a maximum of 142 (the 10th year History says 184 but the records don’t-bear this out) after which our numbers went into a slow decline. In 1981 membership dropped below 100 and reached a low of 53 in 1994. In. 2003 we had 54. members and 60 in July of 2004. Since then – our membership has exploded to 98 today. The story behind the increase in membership will be the subject of our next presentation. These are:

• Bro. J. Robert Turnbull (1983 & 1991)
• W. Bro. Hans T. Sanders (1994/5) and
• Bro. John L. Sanders (2003/4)

• Bro. Carl Robinow served as Master for 16 months, due to a change in our Installation Date in 1990.

Various members of our Lodge have been honoured by Grand Lodge for outstanding_ service to Masonry. Porter Scott received the ‘William Mercer Wilson’ Medal for Meritorious Service in 1959.

• J. Raymond Flynn,
• N. Walker,
• W. Stewart,
• Lionel Inns,
• Maarten van Wamelen
• Edwin Mitchell,
• Ivan Furlong, and –
• John Oldham,

all received Grand Lodge appointments. Two Past Masters of have been elected (as opposed to being appointed) to Grand Lodge office.

• In 1988, Alex Grant was elected as Grand Senior Warden and unfortunately died while in office doing what he enjoyed most – attending lodge.
• In 1998, W. Bro. Hans Toon Sanders was elected District Deputy Grand Master of Toronto District 1. The first we hope, of many to follow.

In terms of long and active service to Masonry one of our affiliates W. Bro. Chesley Patten our·34^th Master, stands head·anct shoulders-above the··rest. Bro. Patten was initiated, passed and raised over a two week period in 1943 in Newfoundland, just prior to his active service posting to England with the RCAF as a bomber navigator. In 2003 he received his ’60 Years-a­ Mason’ Jewel from Grand Lodge.