Deceased Brethren
John Henry Castley was Initiated in Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1914. He was Passed and Raised in 1916. He remained a member of Temple Lodge until his death in 1956. His sons Allan Evans Castley and Kenneth Castley were also members of Temple Lodge, No.33.
Here is a brief biography of John Henry Castley taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:
“Castley – A man who lived most of his life at Lake Cowichan, Mr. John H. Castley, died yesterday morning. He was aged about 87. Mr. Castley was predeceased by his wife last year.
Further details were not obtainable at the time of going to press and a full report will be given in next week’s issue of The Leader.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 12 April 1956 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
“Castley – Mr. John Henry Castley, a pioneer of Cowichan District and Lake Cowichan, died at his home in Lake Cowichan on Wednesday, April 11.
Mr. Castley was born in Rosgill, Westmorland, England on June 26, 1868; in 1887 he migrated with his parents and almost his entire family to Canada, coming to the Cowichan district where, apart from spending several summers surveying northern British Columbia, Mr. Castley resided until 1910, when he came to Lake Cowichan and became superintendent of the Dominion Government Fish Hatcheries here, which post he held until his retirement in 1935.
Following this, Mr. Castley spent some years on his farm on Cowichan Lake Road in the North Cowichan district. For the last 10 years he resided continuously at Lake Cowichan.
Mr. Castley was predeceased by his wife on Novermber 12, 1954, and is survived by three sons, Allan, Kenneth and Steadman; three daughters, Mrs. Vivian Erickson, Grand Forks; Mrs. Irene All, Lake Cowichan, and Miss Lillian Castley, matron of Chemainus Hospital; one brother, Mr. W.J. Castley, Duncan; three sisters, Mrs. J.M. Campbell, Duncan; Mrs. Annie Munro, Vancouver; and Mrs. Charles Grassie, Duncan; also nine grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted on Saturday afternoon in Duncan United Church, the Rev. F.H. Golightly officiating. The services were under the auspices of Temple Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M., Duncan.
Pallbearers were: Messrs. S.L. Scholey, F.J. Reed, both of Lake Cowichan; G.H. Savage, E.M. Waldie, C.A. Green and R.K. McEwan, all of Duncan.
Sung during the service was the hymn “Lead, Kindly Light,” and sung as a solo was “The Old Rugged Cross.”
The service was followed by cremation.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 19 April 1956 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
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