Page 96 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ George R. Bordewick

1982-1983

Most Worshipful Brother George Robert Bordewick entered this
life in Vancouver, B. C, born March 23, 1918, to a mother of
Irish-American background and a father of Norwegian stock.
George grew up and attended school in Vancouver, B. C.,
graduating from Vancouver High School of Commerce in 1936.
Although he never attended any college, he was an avid reader,
and did a superb job of educating himself.

At the age of nineteen, in 1937, he went to work for the Johns
Mansville Co., and was employed there ten years. In 1939, he
joined the Royal Canadian Army. Some discerning individual
assigned him to the Intelligence Branch in 1941, and he was sent to England for further training.
He saw service during WWII in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. After
discharge in 1945 he returned home and resumed his employment at the Johns Manville Co.

He came to Washington in 1960, and after two and a half years with a construction company, went
to work for the Brower Company where he worked until he retired, filling various positions
culminating with the title of president and chief executive officer Along the way he was elected a
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of London, England.

Inspired by an issue of Life Magazine which featured a picture of Grand Masters from throughout
the United States on the cover, George Bordewick was Initiated into King George Lodge, No. 129,
A.F.&A.M., B.C.R., on March 21, 1957, and subsequently Raised to the Sublime Degree in May
of 1957. When he became a United States citizen, George took a dual membership in Service
Lodge No. 255, in January, 1962, and serving the Lodge through the normal progression became
Master of the Lodge in 1970, serving with imagination and distinction.

He was appointed Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 6, serving from 1972-74. He was
appointed Grand Orator in 1974. He served four years on the Finance Committee, the last two as
Chairman. He was elected Junior Grand Warden at the Annual Communication in Spokane in
1979, ultimately serving as Grand Master in 1982-83. He was also elected Chairman of the Grand
Masters Conference of North America in 1983, and in 1984 was the only Past Grand Master to
preside over that body in their long history. From the force of his personality and the skill of his
administrative ability, he was able to move the Conference out of Washington, D.C. to other states.
The Conference was held in Seattle in 1984.

His affiliated and honorary memberships in other Lodges include Walter F. Meier Lodge of
Research No. 281, serving as Worshipful Master in 1987; Lakeside Lodge No. 258; Cariboo Lodge
No. 4, Barkerville, British Columbia; Eastern Washington Lodge of Research No. 310; Glacier