Most Worshipful Brother
John G. H. Rogers, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 2001 – 2002

Most Worshipful Bro. Rogers was born May 11, 1950, son of Helena (Murchison) Rogers and Harris Rogers of “The Brae”, Prince Edward Island. He was raised on a family farm (fifth generation) and still lives in the old homestead (“Picturesque Farms”), now with his wife Barb (Hamill) and family. John and Barb have raised two children, Justin, who earned a B.Sc. degree at Nova Scotia Agriculture College, and Maribeth, whose B.Sc. program has been taken at the University of New Brunswick.

 

Bro. Rogers attended the University of P.E.I., from which he earned a B.A., and a B.Ed. in 1974. He began a teaching career in a one room school in Springfield West, and continued at O’Leary Consolidated Elementary from 1975-1982. He then transferred to Westisle Composite High School in 1982, and at the same time began studying educational administration through part time study at Dalhousie University. In 1989 he was awarded a sabbatical leave and the whole family moved to Ottawa where he earned an M.Ed. Degree in educational administration from the University of Ottawa. With such credits, he was appointed Vice Principal of Westisle Composite High School from 1985-1989 and 1990-1991, and then Principal of O’Leary Consolidated Elementary where he continues to serve today. Beyond the longer term horizon of retirement from the academic world, Bro. Rogers hopes to become more active in the farm operation at home.

 

Bro. Rogers has also been very active in Church and community. He is a member of the United Church and has served in many positions including Sunday School Superintendent and Elder. He has also served as Director of the O’Leary Minor Hockey Association, and coached and managed in hockey and softball.

 

Bro. Rogers was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Corinthian Lodge No. 19, O’Leary, P.E.I. He served that Lodge in 1989 as Worshipful Master. He also became a Royal Arch Mason in King Solomon Chapter No. 28 in 1979 and served as High Priest there in 1985, passed through Prince Edward Preceptory of Knights Templar in 1990, and was made a Noble in Philae Temple in 1992. Having served in a variety of appointive and elective Grand Lodge offices over eleven years, he was elected Grand Master of Masons in P.E.I. in June of 2001.

 

On becoming Grand Master, MW Bro. Rogers called on all Masons to focus on the basic principals of the Fraternity – brotherly love, relief and truth – not just within our Lodges but also in our everyday lives. Noting that “the greatest good is that which we do for others,” he took his message to a series of very well-attended Official Visitations around the Prince Edward Island Lodges, exhorting his Brethren to “take up the challenge and ensure that these ideals are foremost in our thoughts and in our actions.”

 

He completed his term as Grand Master with an Annual Communication held in Masonic and United Church facilities in and around O’Leary, P.E.I., and was complimented by many for effective organization and chairmanship that resulted in an enjoyable balance between business, ceremony and fraternal refreshment.