MW Brother David Hooper, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.
Grand Master, 2005 -2006

M.W.Bro. David Hooper was raised on the Hooper family farm in North Milton, PEI, and is a 6th generation descendant of David Hooper of Devonshire, England, who settled in Milton in 1808, and a grandson of Edward T. Carbonell, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island, 1919-1922.

David received his elementary education in a one-room school at North Milton, and from there advanced to Charlottetown Rural High School, Prince of Wales College, the University of PEI, and the University of Ottawa, taking a B.Sc. Degree in Chemistry. He returned to PEI in 1973 to work as a laboratory instructor and research chemist at UPEI, and as a part time farmer. During the late 1970s and early 1980s he also taught instructional courses in computer use for youth and farmers.

Today, beyond his Masonic duties, David is a full time dairy and beef farmer on the family farm, with his brother, Robert, and their sons. Robert is also a Freemason, as is a third brother, Phillip, all members of Prince of Wales Lodge No. 18 in Wheatley River. David also finds time for genealogy research, production of maple syrup, and saw milling. In years past he also tried his hand at glass blowing. He lives in the old family homestead with his wife Dawn, proud parents of four children.

He attends Milton Anglican Church, has served his church and community in many ways, and is well known for his numerous acting roles in community fund-raisers. As a member of the North Milton Community Council, he served on several committees, has been a Leader in the 4H movement for many years, and served on the Charlottetown Area Regional Planning Board for about 10 years. He is also a Lifetime Member of the Museum and Heritage Foundation of PEI.

M.W.Bro. Hooper joined Prince of Wales Lodge in 1991, served in a progression of offices, and was elected Master for 1996. Afterwards appointed Lodge Historian, he browsed the Lodge Minute books for material to present in regular and well received short talks to the Lodge. He also retrieved from storage and studied Prince of Wales Lodge’s old Minutes, correspondence and other written records, and inventoried and labelled all the holdings of the PEI Masonic Museum and Library in Charlottetown.

In 1992 he joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Summerside, and after service in several progressive offices was elected Most Wise Sovereign of St. Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix for 1999 2000 and as Thrice Puissant Grand Master of Albert Edward Lodge of Perfection for 2004-2005. In 2005, he was Coroneted an Honorary Inspector General (33rd Degree). He is also a member of Alexandra Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Charlottetown.

In June 1997, he was appointed Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of PEI, and progressed through appointive and elective offices until – following a very successful year as Deputy Grand Master and Chairman of the Board of General Purposes – he was elected and installed as Grand Master at the 2005 Annual Communication.

M.W.Bro. Hooper is an accomplished Masonic ritualist, an enthusiastic student of the Craft, has read widely in religion and philosophy, and when not under the usual pressures facing a farmer can often be found surrounded by books in his basement office.

His theme for his year as Grand Master is “Ritual, Relief and Refreshment”. He will be encouraging Lodges to compete in demonstrating their best work in the Opening and Closing of Visitation meetings, and inviting attendees to contribute $2 at each Visitation into a Pot of Benevolence, proceeds to be divided between benevolence projects of winning Lodges and the Grand Lodge Benevolence Fund. He will also reward all who attend every Visitation, by buying them a ticket to the next Annual Communication Banquet, or making an equivalent contribution to the Benevolence Fund.