Claude Alfred John Green (1904-2003)

Most Worshipful Brother Claude Alfred John Green (1904-2003) joined Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1927. He served as Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1941 and Grand Master of B.C. & Yukon in 1957-58.

Claude Alfred John Green as Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1941

M.W.B. Green was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1927. Claude Green’s father, Alfred Edward Green, was also a member of Temple Lodge, No.33 and was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1927, the year Claude Green joined Temple Lodge, No.33. W.Bro. Alfred E. Green is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, a short distance north of where M.W.B. Claude Green is interred in St. Mary’s Somenos Anglican Cemetery on Somenos Road.

Claude Green was very active in local community organizations. Among other activities, he was a member of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department. The following photos were taken in the summer of 1929 and show Claude Green with other members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department.

Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929 on Kenneth Street at the Craig Street intersection.. Left to right: Rupert MacDonald, Claude Green, Melvin Harris, Daniel R. Hattie. The building behind the truck is 211 Craig Street. (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer - family collection, used with permission) — Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929 on Kenneth Street at the Craig Street intersection.. Left to right: Rupert MacDonald, Claude Green, Melvin Harris, Daniel R. Hattie. The building behind the truck is 211 Craig Street. (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer – family collection, used with permission)

Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929 outside the old Fire Hall on Canada Avenue (now demolished). Left to right: Daniel R. Hattie, Bill Talbot, Claude Green, Melvin Harris (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer - family collection, used with permission) — Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929 outside the old Fire Hall on Canada Avenue (now demolished). Left to right: Daniel R. Hattie, Bill Talbot, Claude Green, Melvin Harris (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer – family collection, used with permission)

Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929. Driver: Cap Townsend. Left to right: Bruce McNichol, Les Talbot, Mr. Wilmot, Josey Evans, Roy Batstone, Daniel R. Hattie, Claude Green (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer - family collection, used with permission) — Members of the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department in the summer of 1929. Driver: Cap Townsend. Left to right: Bruce McNichol, Les Talbot, Mr. Wilmot, Josey Evans, Roy Batstone, Daniel R. Hattie, Claude Green (photo courtesy of Sylvia J. Dyer – family collection, used with permission)

Claude Green married Edna Castley in 1928 and they hired architect Douglas James to build them a house at 733 Wharncliffe Road. This house is still standing. In 1937, Claude and Edna Green moved from Wharncliffe Road into a new home they had built on Grieve Road in North Cowichan.

733 Wharncliffe Road, Duncan. Built for Claude and Edna Green in 1928 by architect Douglas James.

Claude Green built this house on Grieve Road, North Cowichan for his family. — Claude and Edna Green built this house on Grieve Road, North Cowichan for their family in 1937.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Claude Green operated a paint contracting business at 161 Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan. That building is still standing and Claude Green’s business sign, circa 1940, is still visible on an exterior wall.

Claude Green (right) in front of his business building at 161 Kenneth Street, circa 1940. The sign on the exterior wall behind Claude Green is still visible on 161 Kenneth Street today. (photo courtesy of Cowichan Valley Museum)

Claude Green business sign, circa 1940, is still visible on 161 Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan

In 1949, Claude Green built a new building at 145-149 Kenneth Street to house his paint contracting business. He quickly sold this building to a group of doctors who wanted it as an investment property. This building is now a landmark building in downtown Duncan and has been home to Volume One Books since 1972.

145-149 Kenneth Street, now Volume One Books. Built in 1949 by Claude Green

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Most Worshipful Brother Claude Alfred John Green, taken from various sources:

“GREEN – Claude Alfred John, died at Royal Jubilee Hospital, September 7 2003. Claude was born March 11, 1904, in Wealdstone, Middlesex, a northwestern suburb of Folkestone, on the coast of Kent, where he completed his schooling and participated in competitive rowing. In 1921 they emigrated to Canada and settled in Duncan. Claude started a painting and decorating business in 1925, which later evolved into a very successful painting contracting enterprise, primarily utilized by sawmills, pulp mills and logging camps up and down the B.C. coast. After retiring from contracting he became a driving Instructor for the next ten years, an occupation which gave him great enjoyment. In 1928 he married Edna Castley, a member of one of the pioneering families of the Cowichan Valley, and they built two homes – the first on Wharncliffe Road and, in 1937, a larger one on Grieve Road for their expanding family, a son, Rodney, and a daughter, Sylvia. Edna and Claude were married for 71 happy years. Claude was involved in many facets of local community life, including the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department; the Junior Chamber of Commerce; the Masonic Lodge (becoming Grand Master of British Columbia and Yukon in 1957-58); the Cowichan Cricket Club; the Cowichan Historical Society and Cowichan Valley Museum; Meals on Wheels; and the Cowichan District Hospital Association, of which he was chairman for ten years. During this time he was closely involved in the planning and construction of the Cowichan District Hospital, which opened in September 1967. He was chosen Duncan’s Citizen of the Year in 1967 in recognition of his contributions to the community while serving on the hospital board. Claude was predeceased by his wife, Edna; son, Rodney; daughter-in-law, Jean; grandson, Bruce Green; sister, Edna Swan and brother, Malcolm. He will be greatly missed by daughter, Sylvia (Glenn) Dyer, daughter-in-law Eileen and eight grandchildren, Lyn (Douglas) Bain, Laurie Green (Cyril), Ian (Dinaurea) Cheffins, Lyle (Yvonne) Green, Brian (Joanna) Cheffins, Karen (Jim) Dunn, Christine (Paul) Ringrose and Jonathan Cheffins (Kristianne). He is also survived by six great-granddaughters, six great-grandsons, and nieces and nephews in Canada, England and the United States. The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Faulkner (Claude’s friend, physician and biographer) for his care and support and the marvelous staff at Wedgwood House, where Claude resided for the last three years, for their assistance and many kindnesses. A wonderful life well lived. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Claude’s memory to the Duncan District Hospital Foundation, #4-466 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3R6 or the Cowichan Valley Museum, Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at the Silver Bridge Inn Travelodge at 2:00 p.m.
First Memorial Funeral Services 250-748-2134”

(Source: Cowichan Leader 2003 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Claude and Edna Green are buried in St. Mary’s Somenos Anglican Cemetery on Somenos Road.

Claude and Edna Green grave marker, St. Mary's Somenos Anglican Cemetery — Claude and Edna Green grave marker, St. Mary’s Somenos Anglican Cemetery

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