John Livingston

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother John Livingston taken from his obituary in the Cowichan Leader newspaper. Note that these reports make no mention of his membership in Temple Lodge, No. 33.

But Temple Lodge, No. 33 records clearly show Brother Livingston was a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncan, B.C.:

“Livingston – Mr. John Livingston, a resident of this district for about 40 years, passed away in Duncan Hospital just before 2 p.m. to-day (Thursday) after a long illness. He had been in hospital for three weeks.

He was about 69, served in the Great War, and was a member of Cowichan Branch, Canadian Legion, and Duncan Lodge, I.O.O.F.

The funeral will take place on Sunday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Samuel Lundle, Sooke, officiating. A service will be held at Whidden’s Funeral Parlour and burial will be made in the United Church Cemetery, Somenos.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 13 May 1937

“Livingston – A large number of old-timers and others attended the funeral on Sunday afternoon of Mr. John Livingston, Duncan, who passed away on Thursday.

The Rev. Samuel Lundle, Sooke, officiated at a service in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, at which “Nearer, My God, To Thee” was sung. Mrs. M. Firth was at the organ.

Interment was made in the United Church Cemetery, Somenos. Honorary pallbearers were Messrs. R.W. Whittome, L. Bonsall, F.H. Price, W. Dobson, W.B. Harper and T. Pitt; and active pallbearers were Messrs. F. Van Norman, D.R. Hattie, James Murchie, W.H. Purver, O.C. Brown and Rowbottom (Nanaimo). Mr. R.W. Whidden was funeral director.

Members of the Cowichan Branch, Canadian Legion, paid their last respects to a comrade. Duncan Lodge, No. 17, I.O.O.F., arranged the service, Mr. Livingston having been a member of Black Diamond Lodge, Nanaimo.

Mr. Livingston came to Duncan in 1891, and lived here ever since except for a short time in the Yukon and during the Great War years, in which he served with the 230th Forestry Battalion.
He was about 72. He was born near Montreal, and lived in Wisconsin before coming to B.C. He was a carpenter by trade, specializing in bridge construction, and worked on the E & N Railway for about 20 years. He owned a good deal of property in the district.

A sister, Miss. L. Livingston, died here some years ago. Mr. Livingston leaves a niece, Mrs. Loudon, in Atlanta, Georgia; a cousin, Mrs. William McEwan, Hatzic, B.C. and other relatives in the province of Quebec.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 20 May 1937