Deceased Brethren

George Frayne was Initiated in Temple Lodge, No. 33 on 11 March 1911 and Passed in Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1911. He was raised to a Master Mason in 1912.

He remained a member of Temple Lodge, No.33 until 1925, when he demitted from Temple Lodge, No. 33 and joined the newly formed Malahat Lodge, No. 107 in Mill Bay. He remained a member of Malahat Lodge, No. 107 until his death in 1959.

George Frayne worked in the lumber industry as a sawyer and “millman”. Frayne Road in Mill Bay is named after him.

Here is a brief biography of George Frayne taken from Temple Lodge, No.33 records and from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“…..Mr. George Frayne having been meanwhile duly prepared was received into the Lodge and initiated in the E.A. degree in due and [ancient] form.

And immediately following Mr. Robert McLay, Jr. having been duly prepared was received into the Lodge and initiated in the E.A. degree in due and ancient form………..”

(Source: Temple Lodge No.33 Minute Book, Regular  Meeting of 11 March 1911)

“Geo. Frayne dies at 81

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George Frayne, well-known resident of Mill Bay, died at his home Saturday. He was 81 years of age.

Mr. Frayne was born in Toronto and came to Mill Bay in 1895. He was a member of Malahat Lodge, Number 107, A.F. & A.M., for over 50 years.

George Frayne was a sawyer and millman for many years, starting as a sawyer at the Old Elford Mill, Shawnigan Lake, at the age of 16.

From there he went to the Skeena River, was at Crofton in 1905, and Alert Bay in 1908. Community projects received his ready support.

He is survived by his wife, Minnie; one daughter, Mrs. Stephen Taylor, Maple Bay; one grandson, Barney Taylor, a brother, R.W. Frayne, Mill Bay, and a sister, Mrs J. Franklin, Tacoma, Wash.

Funeral services were held from Mill Bay United Church Monday at 2 p.m. with Rev. G.L. Gillard officiating. The hymns, “What A Friend We have In Jesus” and “Abide With Me.” were sung. Mrs. E.G. Ellis was at the organ.

Pallbearers were M. Colvin, W. Nelson, W. Bell, W, Jeffrey, H. Warner and R. Hughes, all members of Malahat Lodge, Number 107, A.F. & A.M.

Members of the lodge attended the church in a body and at the close of the service formed open ranks through which the casket was borne.

Graveside rites were read by A.H. Fox, assisted by A. DeLisle, master of Malahat Lodge, after which members deposited evergreens on the casket, as a mark of respect and esteem to a departed member of over 50 years.

Burial took place in the family plot at the churchyard cemetery.

Hirst Funeral Chapel were in charge of arrangements.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 16 April 1959 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

George Frayne is buried in the Mill Bay United Church cemetery. To date we have not been able to find his grave marker.

There are several unmarked graves in the Mill Bay United Church cemetery and it is quite possible George Frayne is interred in one of these unmarked plots. We will do more research to see if we can determine his grave’s actual location.

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