Most Worshipful Brother
Norman Best Thompson, Grand Master Emeritus
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1973 – 1974

M.W.Bro. Thompson was born at North River, Prince Edward Island, on January 23, 1926, the son of Gordon and Lena MacDonald Thompson. He attended elementary school there and Prince of Wales College at Charlottetown.

He married the former Ireta Stevenson of Fredericton, Prince Edward Island, and together they raised two children, Debbie and Douglas.

After serving in the Canadian Army, Norman joined Canadian National Railways’ transportation department, working as operator at various Island centres and as agent at Georgetown and Vernon. In 1971 he was appointed Service Representative out of the Charlottetown headquarters, and in 1976 was transferred to Sydney, Nova Scotia, for three years. After retiring from CNR, he sold real estate for a number of years.

Brother Thompson always took a keen interest in sports, including service on the board of directors of the Pownal Sports Centre where he held the positions of President and Treasurer. In minor hockey he served as coach and as president of a local association, and as a member of the Provincial Minor Hockey Council. In 1975 and 1976 he served as a director of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. He also enjoyed curling as a member of the Belvedere Curling Club

A member of the United Church, he served as General Chairman of the building committees during planning and construction of the St. Andrews United Church at Vernon. He also served for eight years as treasurer and also as a member of Session and a member of the Finance committee of the Prince Edward Island Presbytery.

Brother Thompson was made a Mason in St. George’s Lodge No. 4 at Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, and was elected Master of that Lodge for 1958-1959. Exalted to the Degree of Royal Arch Companion at Alexandra Chapter No. 11 in Charlottetown, he served as Most Excellent High Priest there in 1997. Consecrated a Knight Templar in Prince Edward Preceptory No. 35, he served that body on various committees. Elected to Royal Island Conclave No. 28, Red Cross of Constantine, he served as Most Puissant Sovereign there in 2000. But before those relatively recent duties he had become an active Shriner in 1979, served the Island Shrine Club as President, was elected in 1985 to the Divan of Philae Temple in Halifax, and in 1989 served as Potentate for the 1,400 Shriners of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

In 2000, he was appointed by the Grand Master to serve as Grand Librarian during creation of the Prince Edward Island Masonic Library and Museum, and his efforts were crowned with success when the new and well-stocked facility was opened during the Grand Lodge’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations.

In July, 2004, M.W. Bro. Thompson was appointed Grand Master Emeritus, in commemoration of his continued long service to our Grand Lodge.

He continues to be active in the affairs of Grand Lodge as Grand Librarian, regularly attends meetings of all the York Rite bodies, continues to participate in Degree and committee work, and is widely regarded as a loyal and knowledgeable Brother and friend.