Author Bio – Norm McEvoy

as at October 12, 2020

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1934, the fourth son of James & Ellen Hall McEvoy

and, having completed his formal education, entered the workplace in 1950 as an Office Clerk rising to the position of Office Manager in 1956

In 1956, he accepted a position as an indentured employee (2 Year Commitment) with the Canadian Bank of Commerce and immigrated to Canada in that year.

(All travel expenses paid by the Bank)

During his 42 years of employment with the Bank, rising to the office of Branch Manager, he served in 17 Branches in 13 different communities throughout BC & Yukon, retiring in Victoria in 1998

Educationally he received all his basic academic education in Belfast

As an employee of the Bank he advanced his education through the Institute of Canadian Bankers and attained the academic award of Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB) in both 1986 and again in 1994 and received the prestigious Chairman’s Award from CIBC in 1995.

Personal Life

In 1959 Norm married Peggy Drinkwater in Kelowna BC and have two daughters

Tracy Johnson (Lance) & Diane Ball (Michael) and two Grandchildren Amelia & Alex

In 2019 they had the opportunity to celebrate their Diamond Anniversary (60 Years married)

Over the past 60 years, he has been active in the various communities in which the family resided and has served on many Community and Service Organizations often in executive roles.

For relaxation he enjoys Golf and Music.

He is an avid reader especially in the area of Masonic research.

The Craft

Following in the footsteps of his father, brothers & uncles, he was accepted and raised to the Degree of a Master Mason in Belfast Lodge #257 Brand Lodge of Ireland in April 1956, just prior to his immigration to Canada.

In Canada, due to employment transfers, he had been unable to become actively involved in Lodge Life and was a constant visitor.

On settling in Victoria in 1991, he has had the opportunity to affiliate with and become involved with the Masonic community in many ways and includes his being honoured to serve in many Lodges, Chapters etc.

Master of Victoria Columbia Lodge #1 AF&AM

First Principal of Columbia Chapter # 120 Grand Chapter of BC&Yukon

Grand First Principal of the Grand Chapter of BC&Yukon in 2012

And numerous other Masonic related bodies.

The Educator

Retired in so many ways, in 2013, while serving as Secretary of his Lodge, and noting

,in his opinion, the lack of Masonic Educational Papers etc. he created “The Educator”

for sharing with the 150 (approx) Brethren of his own Lodge.

Suffice it to say, that the news of this sharing became known both locally and beyond &

is now shared, by email, FREE to over 1300 (approx) subscribed readers from all over the World & continues to grow.

A Journey to the Spirit

This is a Manual which I created in 2016 with the objective of sharing my personal view

as to both the practical & esoteric teachings of the Three Degrees in Freemasonry and a

small introduction to Royal Arch Masonry.

This manual has been made available for purchase within The Educator, however, I am now in the process of making it available to all “subscribed readers” FREE of charge.

Final Comment

My personal ambition has, and continues to be, to share, to the best of my ability, my understandings of Freemasonry from both a practical & esoteric perspective and hopefully, by way of my research, add to our understandings of our wonderful craft.

To those Brethren who have created papers that they feel are worth sharing, please

share them with me and together we can all continue to GROW.

Have a Wonderful Day & God Bless

Norm

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Initiated, Passed and Raised (April 1956) in Belfast Lodge #257,
Grand Lodge of Ireland AF&AM
On locating to Victoria, BC, Canada in 1991 he affiliated (1992) with Victoria Columbia Lodge No 1 AF&AM 1992, Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon AF&AM.

His career in Freemasonry includes the following:-

Victoria Columbia Lodge No 1 -Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon
1992 – Victoria Columbia Lodge #1 Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon AF&AM.
1998 – Worshipful Master
2001/03 – Secretary, Multiple years. Director of Masonic Education
Demitted 2016

Haida Lodge #166        Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon
2014 – Member
2015 – Director of Masonic Education
2019 – Brother

Victoria Lodge of Education & Research
2006 & 2007 – Worshipful Master

Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon AF&AM
2000-2002 – Appointed to G/L Board of General Purposes
2002 – Appointed Grand Steward
2003 – Appointed to the Grand Lodge Committee on Education
2004/5/6 – Appointed Chairman G.L. Committee on Education, Assisted in the development of a Mentorship Program.

ASHLAR COLLEGE OF FREEMASONRY  (FOUNDED JUNE 2010)
2010-2013 – Chairman of the board Ashlar College of Freemasonry
2013 – current – Retired from Board.
2016 – Graduated as the first student of the college.
2019 – Honoured as “Director Emeritus” of the college.

M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington & Jurisdiction
2009 – Current – Associate Member True Resolution Lodge #16 (Vancouver B.C.) Prince Hall

Grand Lodge of Washington F&AM
1996 – current – Honorary Member Port Angeles Lodge #69  Washington State USA
2009 – current – Charter Member of Grand Mound Lodge, Seattle. Wash.

Grand Lodge of Sinaloa (Mexico)
2003 – current – Honorary Life Member Fraternity Lodge #23. Mazatlan Mexico.
Grand Lodge of Sinaloa (Mexico)

CONCORDANT & OTHER MASONIC BODIES

Royal Arch Masonry

1975 – Exalted in Rocky Mountain Chapter (Cranbrook. BC)  Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of BC & Yukon.
2001 – Affiliated with Columbia #1 Chapter (Victoria BC)
2003 – Served as First Principal  Columbia #1 Chapter
2011/12 – Served as Grand First Principal Grand Chapter of BC& Yukon
2015 – Appointed as Chairman of the Grand Chapter on Education and Advancement.
Currently Affiliated Grand Chapter Representative from the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland.

Cryptic Rite Masons of Western Canada
Acme Council #14        Member

Red Cross of Constantine
2001- Current – Member Saxa Rubra Conclave #23 (Victoria BC)
2001 – 2019 – Occupied many Officers chairs
2019 – Awarded Knight Commander of the Order of Constantine the Grand Imperial Conclave of Canada.
2020 – Act as Orator for the Conclave

Allied Masonic Degrees
2000 – current – Member Victoria Council # 213 (Ladysmith BC)
2005 – Venerable Master
2010 – Grand Director of Ceremonies
2018 – Appointed District Deputy Grand Master

PUBLICATIONS
2003 – Current – The Educator   (theeducator.ca) directed to Freemasons & the public in General

ACCOMPLISHMENT HIGHLIGHTS
1996. Commenced, within Victoria Columbia Lodge #1 (GL of BC & Yukon) the development of a Mentorship Program & saw the acceptance of this Program at Grand Lodge in the year 2000.

2005 As Chairman of the Grand Lodge of BC & Yukon Committee on Education commenced the development of a Diploma Program for freemasons and with the assistance of many brethren saw the acceptance of this Program under the name of Ashlar College of Freemasonry and accepted by The Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon in 2010.

2016 Created and Published “A Journey to the Spirit” which is a Book/Manual offering an insight into the esoteric side of Masonic Ceremonies.  For purchase, information refer to the homepage.