Most Worshipful Brother
Harley C. P. Ings, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1995 – 1996

Most Worshipful Bro. Ings was born on 20th February 1932, at Mt. Herbert, P.E.I., the second son of Earle and Evelyn (Rackham) Ings. He received his primary education there, later attending the Nova Scotia Agricultural college at Truro, N.S.

In 1959 he and Anna Hansen were married, and they have raised three children, a son Darren and daughters Sandra and Susan, all of whom reside in the Charlottetown area. At last count, Harley and Anna were proud grandparents of five grandchildren. After his marriage, Harley left the family farm and became a peace officer, serving six years as Chief Constable of the then Village of Parkdale. From there he went on to become Plant Superintendent for Prima Fertilizer in Kensington, living in Margate. In 1968 he returned to Mt. Herbert to take over the family farm, specializing in dairy output. He was active in many agricultural organizations including serving as director at Agro Co-op and as President of the local A.I. Club.

Music has always played an important part in Harley’s life and he has enjoyed singing in his church choir, men’s chorus groups, and offering many solos over the years. Also among his hobbies are competitive shooting, coin collecting and wood working, and working on the family’s cottage on the portion of the family farm he retained after retiring from farming in 1984.

Bro. Ings was initiated into Masonry at St. John’s Lodge No.1 in Charlottetown in 1964, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on November 24 that year. He was elected Master of his Lodge in 1972, the year celebrating the 175th anniversary of its Charter, and was appointed an officer of Grand Lodge in 1983. Most Worshipful Bro. Ings holds the office of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of New Hampshire, near the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island.

Reflecting on his service in the various Grand Lodge offices, and particularly as Grand Master, Bro. Ings recalls his sense of profound honour to have been elected to the highest office in Craft Masonry in this Province. But he also credits Freemasonry with having made him generally “a better person”, and offers this advice to others: “The record of your life’s work is only a reflection. Make it shine.”