Page 110 - 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 was the 11 Worshipful Master of Mission Lodge No. 158, and a very active
th
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 the Committee on Masonic Research and Education; in 1966-
1967 he served as Senior Grand Steward; from 1967 until 1970 he was Chairman of the Committee on
Masonic Research and Education and in 1970 was elected Junior Grand Warden. In 1973 he was installed

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