Page 114 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Thomas H. Craig

1973-1974

Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Henry Craig, 111th
Grand Master of this Grand Jurisdiction, was born October
29, 1903, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His parents,
Thomas Henry Craig and Anne Greig Craig, worked several
isolated farms in central Canada. When "Tommie" was two
years old an incident occurred which was to affect his entire
future. His mother had prepared some lye water for some
purpose and the little boy, being thirsty, drank some of it,
severely scalding his esophagus. In a letter to her sister in
Scotland, dated 1905, Mrs. Craig stated that she "pushed a
tube down his gullet to feed him" No doubt her courage and
quick thinking saved the child's life, and it is obvious that he
inherited his mother's fine attributes.

Most Worshipful Brother Craig and his brothers were educated in a number of primary and high
schools in central Canada. As a young man, our Grand Master moved to the State of Washington,
and was employed by his uncle, William T. Greig, on the Bonanza ranch at Cashmere. His uncle
th
was the 11 Worshipful Master of Mission Lodge No. 158, and a very active Mason. This was
Tommie's first contact with Masonry,
Our distinguished Brother moved to Seattle in search of more lucrative employment and found it
in the food industry. Under the watchful eyes of some fine chefs, he became accomplished in the
culinary arts. In 1924 he started on a career with the Merchant Marine, being employed as pantry
man on the S. S. Admiral Rodgers of the Admiral Line; in 1933 he joined the S. S. Northwestern;
subsequently he sailed with the Northland Transportation Company, was advanced to Chief
Steward in 1937 and Port Steward in 1944. In 1948 he joined Alaska Steamship Line as Chief
Storekeeper, became Assistant Port Steward in 1950, and Port Steward in 1963, at which he retired
in 1968.

Most Worshipful Brother Craig was elected to receive the Degrees in Maritime Lodge, No. 239,
Initiated in 1942, Passed in 1943 and Raised in 1944. This seemingly long period of time between
the Degree conferrals was due to being at sea. His sincere interest in the Craft, however, became
apparent immediately and when he accepted employment with the Alaska Steamship Line as chief
storekeeper and then port steward, he became active in the work at once. His zeal and ability, his
devotion to duty as an officer of the Lodge enabled him to advance rapidly in his Masonic career.
He was appointed to various offices in the Lodge and served as Worshipful Master in 1950, then
as Treasurer for sixteen consecutive years. Brother Craig was appointed Deputy of the Grand
Master in District No. 4 in 1962 and served until 1964. In 1965 he was appointed as a member of