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Biography of
the Grand Master
M.W. Bro. Gary
Laverne Atkinson was born in Petrolia, Ontario, in the County of
Lambton. He was raised in the Village of Wyoming (now the Town of
Plympton-Wyoming) and graduated from Lambton Central Collegiate
Vocational Institute in Petrolia.
After starting his working career in the automotive industry, he
ventured to Sarnia's Chemical Valley, where he gained employment
working for Imperial Oil for a period of two years.
In 1972, he joined Shell Canada, at the Refinery in Corunna,
Ontario. Throughout his career at Shell Canada he progressed to the
position of Senior Operator, and served as the site's Chairman of
the Safety Promotions Team for a period of twenty years. He retired
from the Sarnia Manufacturing Centre in June 2005, after
thirty-three (33) years' service.
In 1978, he married the former Sandy Bentley from St. Thomas, and
they have two grown sons; Greg, a Heavy Equipment Operator and
Apprentice Mechanic, and Drew, currently a student |
Grand Master
M.W. Bro. Gary L. Atkinson |
at
Lambton College, in Sarnia, looking forward to a career as a
Horticultural Technologist, and working in the golf industry.
Both
Greg and Drew are members of Burns' Lodge No. 153, and have recently
started through the Officer Progression Programme of the lodge.
M.W. Bro. Atkinson was initiated into, and is an Honorary Life
Member of, Burns' Lodge No. 153. He served as the Worshipful Master
in 1979 and was the Lodge Secretary for 15 years. In 2001, he was
named Secretary Emeritus.
In 1986, Bro. Atkinson was elected District Deputy Grand Master of
the Sarnia District.
A member of the Board of General Purposes since 1989, he served our
Grand Lodge as a member of various committees, namely, Benevolence,
Masonic Education, Condition of Masonry, Long Range Planning, Blood
Donors and Communications, chairing the last two committees. In
1999, he was elected to serve on the Management Committee. From
1994-1999, he served as a Director of the Masonic Foundation of
Ontario.
In July 2003, he was elected Deputy Grand Master. Installed as Grand
Master July 23, 2005.
He is the Grand Representative of our Grand Lodge to the Grand Lodge
of Guatemala.
M.W. Bro. Atkinson is a member of both the York and Scottish Rite
bodies. In September 2005, he was coroneted a 33ø Mason in Toronto,
Ontario.
He is an Honorary Member of Burns' Lodge No. 153, Wyoming; Alexandra
Lodge No. 158, Oil Springs; Havelock Lodge No. 238, Watford; Moore
Lodge No. 294, Sarnia; Mount Olivet No. 300, Thorndale; Ionic Lodge
No. 328, Napier; Huron Lodge No. 392, Camlachie; Leopold Lodge No.
397, Brigden; Liberty Lodge No. 419, Sarnia; Tuscan Lodge No. 437,
Sarnia; St. Paul Lodge No. 601, Sarnia; St. John's Lodge No. 20,
London; Corinthian Lodge No. 96, Barrie; Lebanon Forest Lodge No.
133, Exeter; King Solomon's Lodge No. 378, London; Burns Lodge No.
436, Hepworth; Caledonia Lodge No. 637, Scarborough; Oakbranch No.
261, Innerkip; Acacia No. 61, Hamilton; Victoria No. 56, Sarnia;
Ancient St. John's No. 3, Kingston; and a Charter Member (now
honorary member) of New Light No. 744, in Waterloo District.
M.W. Bro. Atkinson is a member of the Wyoming United Church. When
not involved in his Masonic endeavours, he is actively involved in
many community activities. They are:
Past President and Director of the Plympton & Wyoming Agricultural
Society.
Director for St. Francis Advocates Ä a residence for autistic
adults.
Former member of the Committee of Adjustment for the Town of
Plympton - Wyoming.
Coach in the Wyoming Minor Baseball Association; awarded Coach of
the Year in 2000.
In February of 2003, Bro. Atkinson became the recipient of the
Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his contribution to his community
and Freemasonry.
His hobbies include Motorcycling, Quarter Horses, Gardening and
Classic Cars. |
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