Vancouver Island Masonic History Project
Vancouver Island Cemeteries – Masonic Interments
Herbert Leiser (13 June 1885 – 12 June 1953) was a member of Henderson Lodge No. 84. He was the son of Simon Leiser, a member of Vancouver & Quadra Lodge No. 2 in Victoria.
He was the Victoria manager of Oppenheimer Brothers, a wholesale business co-founded by David Oppenheimer (1834-1897). At the time of his death in June 1953 Herbert Leiser lived at No. 8 – 902 McClure Street near downtown Victoria.
According to Henderson Lodge No. 84 records, Herbert Leiser was Initiated in Henderson Lodge No. 84 on 23 July 1923, was Passed on 17 August 1923 and Raised on 21 September 1923. He was installed as the Henderson Lodge No. 84 Organist on 21 November 1924 and again on 20 November 1925.
Here is the local newspaper report of his funeral:
“Services for Herbert Leiser To Be Held Tuesday Afternoon
Funeral services for Herbert Leiser, aged 67, of 902 McClure, will be held at 3:30 pm Tuesday.
Mr. Leiser, former manager of Oppenheimer Brothers wholesale house, was the only son of Simon Leiser,, wholesaler, who sold his business to Kelly Douglas.
He is survived by his widow May; three sisters, Mrs. William Oppenheimer, Vancouver; one sister in Seattle and one in San Francisco.
Mr. Leiser was a prominent Victoria Shriner.
Services will be held from Haywood’s Chapel, with interment in Royal Oak Burial Park.”
(Source: Daily Colonist, 14 June 1953, page 22)
At the time of his death in June 1953, Herbert Leiser and his wife May were living in apartment 8 of the Willingdon Apartments, 902 McClure Street near downtown Victoria.
902 McClure Street is still standing but it is no longer the Willingdon Apartments. It is now Abigail’s Hotel.
Here is a map showing the location of 902 Maclure Street:
Here is a Google Street View image of 902 Maclure Street:
Herbert Leiser is buried in Royal Oak Burial Park, Saanich, B.C. We will add a photo of his grave in future.
Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?