Most Worshipful Brother
J. Bruce Small, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1996 – 1997

Most Worshipful Bro. Small was born in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island, on May 30, 1933, son of a prosperous dairy farmer, John Small, and his wife Mary. He is one of a family of ten who grew to adulthood, including a twin sister, Belle (Ramsay). Two of his brothers, Ennis and Alden, also became Freemasons.

He received his early education at Miscouche Convent, and graduated from High School in 1953.

In 1957, he married Lillian Coulson of Summerside and they raised six children, Keith (also a Mason) of Summerside, Sharon (Mrs Andre Baril) of Calgary, Cheryl (Mrs Blair Costain) of Summerside, Sheila (Mrs Wendell Bridges) of Miscouche, Sharlene (single) of Calgary, and Keir who remained at home. At last count the family also included eight grandchildren.

Brother Small was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Hiram and Lebanon Lodge No. 3, Summerside, in 1976, and was elected Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1980. He then served the Lodge further as Chaplain for nine years, and Treasurer for two years, besides taking other offices. He was appointed an officer of Grand Lodge in 1991. Most Worshipful Bro. Small holds the office of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan and the Grand Lodge of Chile, near the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island.

Having been born on a farm, he began in 1953 a long association with the agricultural industry as a self employed farmer. During busy years he nonetheless also found time to work for Williams, Murphy and MacLeod Construction, Linkletter Farms Limited, and Lyle farms Ltd. as office clerk and foreman. In 1968 he joined the Farm Equipment Dealership of Mid-West Sales and Service of Miscouche as office clerk and parts manager, before moving on to a retail sales position within the farm industry. In 1981 he became a business partner of Miscouche Sales and Services Ltd., and Vice President of that farm machinery firm. Long past the age when others would have retired, he continued to work with Linkletter Farms Ltd, a large potato packaging firm on the Linkletter Road.

His depth of involvement not only in agriculture but also in community life has been a reflection of the interest he has had in serving others. He has held such position as director of the Junior Farmers Co-Op and President of the Junior Farmers organization, and with the latter was chosen one of the four people from Prince Edward Island to tour Ontario.

Brother Small’s additional interest in community education allowed him to serve as chairperson of both the Miscouche and Three Oakes Community Schools, serving for many years on the Provincial Board. He also served on the local school board for nine years, three years as President, and as Chair of the local Home and School Association for many years. More, he held the office of President of the Miscouche Fireman’s Club, and served for six years as President of the Summerside Local Canadian Association For Community Living. He also served as a director of the Miscouche Recreation Centre.

Most Worshipful Brother Small is a member of Saint John’s Anglican Church in Saint Eleanors where he has served the Parish Council as a Warden and as a Lay Reader for thirty years.