Most Worshipful Brother
J. Gordon MacKenzie, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1993 – 1994

Most Worshipful Bro. MacKenzie was born on the family farm at Rose Valley, P.E.I, on March 28, 1929, only son of the late John W. and Emma (Frizzell) MacKenzie. Upon completion of Elementary School education at the local school, and Secondary Education at Prince of Wales College, Gordon worked on the family farm, first with his father and later with his sons. Until 1957 this farm was operated as an Illustration Farm, co-operating with the Dominion Experimental Farms program.

Always interested in the improvement of agriculture, Gordon joined Agriculture Canada’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable service in 1964, and the Livestock Grading Division in 1981, retiring from that position soon after taking up his duties as Grand Master.

Gordon was married in 1953 to Dorothy MacCaull of North Bedeque. They raised two sons, Lowell, who now lives and works in Charlottetown, and Brian, who noiw lives in Prescott, Ontario. Dorothy passed away in 1987. In 1990 Gordon married Vera L. (Nunn) Rodd, who had a son and a daughter, both living in Ontario. Gordon and Vera established their home in Winsloe, P.E.I.

Gordon has been an active member of the United Church of Canada, serving many years in all positions of Church life including Sunday School teacher, Superintendent, Trustee, Steward, Elder, Lay Speaker, and on various committees of Charge and Presbytery. For many years he has also sung with the United Church Presbytery Men’s Choir, travelling all over the province, and that choir has also several times participated in Divine Worship services preceding Grand Lodge Annual Communications.

Gordon served as School trustee of several school boards for 25 years, at the local and regional levels, and was one of the founding members of Unit 3 School Board.

Gordon was initiated into our Fraternity on December 8, 1969, at True Brothers Lodge No. 8, Crapaud, and served as Master of that Lodge in 1974. He received his first appointment as a Grand Lodge officer in 1981, and advanced through several appointive and elective offices until being elected Grand Master in 1993.

He also joined the Scottish Rite’s Albert Edward Lodge of Perfection in the Valley of Summerside, advanced to serve in 1986 as Most Wise Sovereign of Gordon L. Bennett Chapter Rose Croix (formerly St. Lawrence Chapter) there, and received his 32° in Nova Scotia Consistory in the Valley of Halifax. That Rite conferred on him one of its highest honours when it coroneted him a 33° Scottish Rite Mason at Thunder Bay in 1991. In May of 1998 he was further honoured with membership in the Royal Order of Scotland.

Gordon is also an enthusiastic Shriner, having become a member of Philae Temple Shrine in 1986; and president of the Island Shrine Club in 1990. Most Worshipful Bro. MacKenzie holds the office of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of Hawaii, Grand Lodge of the State of Iowa and the Grand Lodge of Argentina, near the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island.