Most Worshipful Brother
James Garth Gillespie, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1986 – 1987

Most Worshipful Bro. Gillespie was born on June 24, 1940 at Long River, P.E.I., lived many years at Spring Brook, and moved more recently to Summerside. Following his elementary schooling at Spring Brook School, he entered Prince of Wales College in 1965 as a mature student for Junior Matriculation (Grades 11 and 12), then advanced to Nova Scotia Agricultural College for 3 years training as a Technician and Technologist in Plant Science, specializing in golf course design, construction and maintenance, graduating with honours in 1970.

He then developed a career with the Prince Edward Island Provincial Parks branch, rising to be Manager of all Parks operations, redevelopment and construction west of Charlottetown, including camping parks, day-use facility parks, Alpine and Nordic Ski Parks, and the 18 hole championship golf course at Mill River Provincial Park.

In community service, Garth was the Charter King Lion of the New London Lions Club, and also served as a Captain of the New London Volunteer Fire Brigade.

He is a member of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Spring Brook, in the Parish of New London. There, he has performed the duties of Vestry Clerk, Warden, Parish Council Clerk, and representative to Deanery Council, and also served at the Diocesan level on Diocesan Council and as Chair of a standing Committee. He has also been involved with the organization and operation of Church Youth Camps for the Deanery, and leader for Parish Youth Groups.

Garth’s recreational activities have included golfing, skiing, swimming and soft ball. He is an amateur radio operator – call sign VE1 CIG – and enjoys travelling.

In 1963, Brother Gillespie was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Prince Edward Lodge No. 14, then based in Stanley Bridge (now Graham’s Road). He was elected Master of that Lodge for 1970, and served as its Secretary in 1983-1984. He was appointed a Grand Lodge Additional Steward in 1976, and advanced through various appointive and elective offices until election as Grand Master in 1986.

MW Bro. Gillespie is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Columbia (Bogotá) and of the Grand Lodge of Illinois near the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward

Since his term as Grand Master, he has remained active in Grand Lodge committee work, and is widely recognized as an expert on the Constitution and matters of Masonic protocol and procedure.