R. Wor. Bro. Donald L. Sandison
District Deputy Grand Master of
Brant Masonic District - 1978

R. Wor. Bro. Sandison was born in Deseronto, Ontario on May 29, 1922 and moved to Brantford in 1924. He received his elementary education at Bellview School in Eagle Place and his secondary education at Brantford Collegiate Institute graduating from Grade 13 in June 1939.

Sandy started a five year Tool & Die apprenticeship at Robbins & Myers Ltd. on Oct. 4, 1939, finishing on Oct. 4, 1944. He continued at his trade until accepting a position at the Brantford P.U.C. in the Water Filtration Plant on Aug. 5, 1947 as a Maintenance Mechanic rising to Supervisor and retiring July 1, 1983 after 36 years of service.

On May 1, 1943 Sandy married the former Betty Fowler and they had two daughters, Denise (Mrs. David Papple) and Debra (Mrs. Geoff Dunlop). Betty passed away in Feb. 1981. Sandy married Marian Sykes in Sept. 1982, who has a son Paul and his wife Linda. Sandy now has 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

R. W. Bro. Sandison and his wife Marian belong to Fairview United Church where Sandy has been a Member for over 50 years serving as an Elder and a member of the Official Board.

In his early years Sandy played hockey and baseball and in recent years he is active in golf and recreational fishing. He has numerous Trophies for bowling and golf.

R. W. Bro. Sandison begun his masonic journey in 1944. He was initiated into Reba Lodge No. 515 A. F. & A. M. Brantford, on June 16, 1944, passed on Sept. 14, 1944 and raised on Jan. 18, 1945. He was installed Worshipful Master of Reba Lodge on Dec. 30, 1958. Elected D.D.G.M. in 1978. Affiliated with Heritage Lodge No. 730 Cambridge and St. John's No. 82 Paris.

He is a member of Brant-Mt. Horeb Chapter Royal Arch Masons; a member of Murton Lodge of Perfection A.A.S.R. May 13, 1947; Hamilton Sovereign Chapter Rose Croix Apr. 14, 1949; Moore Sovereign Consistory Nov. 11, 1949; and Coroneted Honorary Inspector General 33 Degrees of Supreme Council of Freemasonry of the Dominion of Canada Sept. 17, 1998.

He is Past President, Secretary & Manager of the Brantford Masonic Temple Ltd., Past President of the Brantford Scottish Rite Association; Past Patron of Brant Chapter No. 118 Order of the Eastern Star; Past Watchman of Shepherds Unity Shrine No. 14 White Shrine of Jerusalem; a member of Mocha Temple Order of the Mystic Shrine and the Brantford Shriner ' s Club of Brantford.

R. W. Bro. Sandison and R. W. Bro. Thomas E. Greenaway wrote the History of Reba Lodge from 1915-1980 assisting Bro. William Mitchell in the history of Brant District. R. W. Bro. Sandison wrote the updated history of Reba Lodge from 1980-2000 when R. W. Bro. R. William L. Clarke updated the District history in 2000.

R. W. Bro. Donald Sandison's Favourite Poem follows:

I AM FREEMASONRY

I was born in Antiquity, in the Ancient Days when men first dreamed of God. I have been tried through the ages and found true. The crossroads of the world, bear the imprint of my feet, and the Cathedrals of the Nations, mark the skill of my hands. I strive for Beauty and for symmetry. In my heart is wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask. Upon my altars, is the Book of the Holy Writ, and my prayers are to the Omnipotent God.

My sons work and play together, without rank and discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber. By signs and symbols, I teach the lessons of life and death, and the relationship of man to God and man to man. My arms are widespread, to receive those of lawful age and good report, who seek me of their own free will. I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men, and thereby find direction in their own quest for perfection so much desired and so difficult to attain.

I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick, I hark to the orphan's cry, the widows tears, the pain of the old and destitute. I am not a church, nor party, nor school. Yet my sons bear a full share of responsibility to God, to country, to neighbours and themselves. They are freemen, tenacious of their liberties and alert to lurking danger, at the end, I commit them as each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of everlasting life.

I ponder the sand within the hourglass and think how small is a single life in the eternal universe. Always have I taught immortality, and even as I raise men from darkness into light, I am a way of life. I AM FREEMASONRY .