Deceased Brethren

In 1919 Brother Patterson moved to Duncan, B.C. from the Canadian prairies and purchased the Duncan Emporium Building, built by Harry Smith, in downtown Duncan, renaming it the Patterson Block.

He was Initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1921 and Passed to a Fellow Craft later that year. He was Raised to a Master Master in 1922 and remained a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 until his death in 1931.

Here is a brief biography of Brother Hugh Alexander Patterson taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“Patterson – Mr. Hugh Alexander Patterson died in Victoria on Saturday afternoon after a long illness. He was 57 and was the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hunter Patterson, Holly Park, Knock, North County Down, Ireland.

He came to Canada in 1904, spending a short time in the east and then farming on the prairies. In 1919 he came to Duncan, taking over the Island Drug Company, then in the Cecil Cafe premises. He subsequently bought and remodelled the entire block which now bears his name.

He sold his business and residence in 1926 to Mr. G.L. Buckham, and, after a visit to England in the following year, acquired the Buena Vista Hotel, Cowichan Bay. He operated this for a year or more before selling to Major W.G. Fanning. He then moved to Victoria.

He had a rich sense of humour and good business ability, and his many friends here deeply regret his passing. He was a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M., Duncan, and the funeral this afternoon at Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria, will be under Masonic auspices.

One brother, the late Rev. John Rupert Patterson, Dulwich, England, was a prominent Mason and one of the London lodges bears his name. His other brother, the late Dr. William Kelley Patterson, was well known in Guernsey and South Africa.

There is much sympathy here with Mrs. Patterson and her family. There are two daughters, the Misses Esther and May Patterson, who were at school here, and a son, Mr. Desmond Patterson, of the purser’s staff of the Empress of Japan, due at Victoria on Sunday. Two sisters survive. They are Mrs. David Craig, Belfast, and Mrs. M. Cunningham-Moore, in England.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 19 November 1931 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

“Patterson – The funeral of the late Mr. H.A. Patterson took place at Victoria on Thursday afternoon. Services were conducted at Hayward’s chapel, where the hymns were “Nearer, My God, To Thee” and “Abide With Me.” Interment was in Royal Oak Burial Park.

The Rev. H.B.S. Luttrell conducted the church services. Members of the Masonic fraternity attended in a body and,at the graveside, their service was conducted by Rt. Wor. Bro. the Rev. H.W.G. Stocken, chaplain, Confederation Lodge, No. 116, A.F. & A.M., Victoria.

Wor. Bro. J.C. Stewart, of that lodge, and Bros. W.B. Powel, A.E. Green, J.M. Campbell, R.M. Smith and Bro. E.H. Peterson, Temple Lodge, Duncan, were the pallbearers.

Many friends, from this district and from Victoria, attended and there wre many beautiful wreaths.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 26 November 1931 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

We will get a photo of the grave in Royal Oak Burial Park at a later date.

But here is a link to a photo of Hugh Alexander Patterson’s grave.

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