Most Worshipful Calvin G. Bond, PGM
Most Worshipful Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, began his Masonic journey here in Oswego on April 1, 1947 when he was raised at Oswego Lodge No. 127, now Lake City Lodge No. 127.
The members of Lake City Lodge have always been especially proud of our friend, brother, mentor and Grand Master.
He received his 60 year service pin and award from M∴W∴ Neil I. Bidnick and the Grand Line at a celebratory dinner in his honor at the Oswego Lodge on September 9, 2007.
The list of Masonic achievements by the M∴W∴ and Illustrious Brother Bond are so significant that we will present those separately.
Perhaps, what is more important here, is to highlight the significant impact this Masonic Scholar had on history, the Craft of Freemasonry and furthering it's tenets.
The story of our dear friend is not only about his many impressive awards or titles of distinction. The effort behind his achievements exemplify his extraordinary commitment and lifelong mission.
It is hard to say where we should begin:
...Calvin's first publication by the Grand Lodge of England.
...The standdown in Buffalo that cemented the viewpoint of Masons and helped change the course of our country.
...or Grand Master Calvin G. Bond leading the parade in a Model 'A' from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty...
...Grand Master Calvin G. Bond dedicating the cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty's pedestal on August 5, 1984, using the George Washington Inaugural Bible from St John's Lodge No. 1.
...the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, Grand Master of Masons.
...or 'Silence' and it's move to a permanent location.
...The Demolay - saving a program.
...the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory; the Bond-Trosin dedication.
...or do we talk about perhaps one of the last great travelling orators with an undeniably commanding presence and heart of gold.
...or the thousands of people he touched and changed the course of their lives.
Calvin's unassuming approach to solving complex problems using logic and reason allowed him to successfully marshal sustained efforts across all branches of Freemasonry.
It has been said that M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, PGM may have been one of the most influential Grand Masters in the past 100 years. With the highest respect for all sitting, past and future Grand Masters, no one can deny that he raised the bar for all Masons with his lifelong commitment to helping his fellow man live in a better world.
It is hoped that scholars and historians studying Freemasonry between 1947 - 2010 will look carefully at the work of M∴W∴ and Illustrious Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master. As the Calvin G. Bond Archive grows we will periodically release further information.
Brother John R. Grala, Lake City Lodge No. 127 Archives and History (chair)
Masonic Record
M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York
b. June 8, 1925, New Haven, New York; d. June 19, 2010
Raised Lake City Lodge No. 127 in Oswego, New York on April 1, 1947
Called from Labor a few hours before dawn on Saturday, June 19th, 2010.
May His Soul Rest In Everlasting Peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Calvin G. Bond was born 8 Jun 1925 in New Haven, NY. He attended local and Oswego schools, graduated from R. B. I. and I. A. S. of Chicago, took employment in Oswego and retired as Treasurer of Oswego Package Boiler Co., Inc. He was a member of several community and church boards, President of the Oswego County United Fund having also served as County Fund Raising Chairman. He married Constance J. Holmes on 10 Aug 1950.
Most Worshipful and Illustrious Brother Bond was a member of many related Masonic organizations and presiding officer in several. Throughout his life he maintained a keen interest and devotion to the Episcopal Church, their Vestry and Choir, performing often as tenor soloist and in quartettes and other choral groups. He may be heard on “The Greatest of These – Music from the Masonic Home,” a 33 1/3 r.p.m. recording, copies of which are in the archives of the OMDHS.
He received his 60 year Service Pin and Award from M∴W∴ Neil I. Bidnick and the Grand Line at a celebratory dinner in his honor at Lake City Lodge No. 127 on 9 Sep 2007.
Past Grand Master Bond was also a Past Grand Lecturer and served on the Board of The Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home.
He also began the DeMolay Foundation that raised an endowment to fund the orders programs in New York State.
Masonic Record:
1 Apr 47: Raised in Oswego Lodge No. 127, serving as Master in 1954; Organist 1955-60
1954: Fellowship Committee
1956-59: Assistant Grand Lecturer, Oswego District
1959-60: Fellowship Chairman
1960-63: Assistant Grand Lecturer, Oswego District
1965-66: District Deputy Grand Master, Oswego District
1967-68: Grand Master ’s Survey Committee
1968-70: Senior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He created the Officers Training Seminars for Grand Lodge and administered them for six years.
1970-76: Chairman, Grand Lodge Committee on Attendence
1976-82: Trustee of the Masonic Home (Masonic Hall & Asylum Fund), Utica, NY
1982-84: Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of the State of New York
1984-86: Grand Master of Masons, Grand Lodge of the State of New York. As Grand Master he began the Widow’s Program.He also made raising $500,000 for the Order of DeMolay one of his projects, later being elected President of the New York State DeMolay Foundation, nearly tripling their assets during his tenure.
1955: High Priest, Lake Ontario Chapter No. 165, RAM, Oswego, NY. Fraternal Union of Anointed High Priests, NY
1966-68: Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of Maryland
1970-82: Treasurer, Lake Ontario Chapter No. 165, RAM
1975: Grand Captain of the Host
1976: Grand Scribe
1976: Chairman, Grand Chapter Committee on Public Relations and Publicity
1977: Grand King
1977: Masonic Education and Service
1978: Deputy High Priest
1979: Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York; Chairman of the Trustees.
1984: Chairman, Royal Arch Masons Scholarship Fund. Fulton Council No. 50, R&SM. Lake Ontario Commandery No. 32, KT; Commander, 1975. He was for seven years the N. Y. S. Grand Governor of the York Rite Sovereign College, establishing new Colleges in Utica and the Southern Tier during his tenure. He was active in the Scottish Rite, A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse.
27 Sep 77: Crowned an Honorary Member, 33rd degree, Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., NMJ. Founding President of the Oswego County Scottish Rite Club.
1978: DeMolay Legion of Honor.
St. Leo’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Officer.
Central New York, York Rite College No. 27; Officer
Whango Grotto, Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm
Giles Fonda Yates Council NO. 22, Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD)
New York College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF)
1988-99: Appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, holding Ritual Conventions in all 65 Districts in New York State for 10.5 years before retiring.
He was also an accomplished ritualist in the York and Scottish Rites.
Media Temple, AAONMS
New York Court No. 30, Roayl Order of Jesters (ROJ)
Oswego County Shrine Club
Royal Order of Scotland
Order of DeMolay:
1955-58: Lake Ontario Chapter Advisory Committee
1956: Dad Adviser
1957-58: Chairman, Advisory Committee, Order of DeMolay
1975-81: New York Masonic Youth Foundation, Inc;
1976-78: President
1979-80: Chairman of the Board
1982: New York Foundation Board of Directors
1981-82: Oswego Charities, Inc.; Board of Directors Treasurer
Lake City Chapter No. 351, Order of the Eastern Star
1975-82: Masonic Service Bureau, Inc. of Central New York (eMeSBe); Board of Directors
1 Dec 98: Honorary Founder, Oswego Masonic District Historical Society (OMDHS)
The members of Lake City Lodge have always been especially proud of our friend, brother, mentor and Grand Master.
He received his 60 year service pin and award from M∴W∴ Neil I. Bidnick and the Grand Line at a celebratory dinner in his honor at the Oswego Lodge on September 9, 2007.
The list of Masonic achievements by the M∴W∴ and Illustrious Brother Bond are so significant that we will present those separately.
Perhaps, what is more important here, is to highlight the significant impact this Masonic Scholar had on history, the Craft of Freemasonry and furthering it's tenets.
The story of our dear friend is not only about his many impressive awards or titles of distinction. The effort behind his achievements exemplify his extraordinary commitment and lifelong mission.
It is hard to say where we should begin:
...Calvin's first publication by the Grand Lodge of England.
...The standdown in Buffalo that cemented the viewpoint of Masons and helped change the course of our country.
...or Grand Master Calvin G. Bond leading the parade in a Model 'A' from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty...
...Grand Master Calvin G. Bond dedicating the cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty's pedestal on August 5, 1984, using the George Washington Inaugural Bible from St John's Lodge No. 1.
...the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, Grand Master of Masons.
...or 'Silence' and it's move to a permanent location.
...The Demolay - saving a program.
...the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory; the Bond-Trosin dedication.
...or do we talk about perhaps one of the last great travelling orators with an undeniably commanding presence and heart of gold.
...or the thousands of people he touched and changed the course of their lives.
Calvin's unassuming approach to solving complex problems using logic and reason allowed him to successfully marshal sustained efforts across all branches of Freemasonry.
It has been said that M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, PGM may have been one of the most influential Grand Masters in the past 100 years. With the highest respect for all sitting, past and future Grand Masters, no one can deny that he raised the bar for all Masons with his lifelong commitment to helping his fellow man live in a better world.
It is hoped that scholars and historians studying Freemasonry between 1947 - 2010 will look carefully at the work of M∴W∴ and Illustrious Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master. As the Calvin G. Bond Archive grows we will periodically release further information.
Brother John R. Grala, Lake City Lodge No. 127 Archives and History (chair)
Masonic Record
M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York
b. June 8, 1925, New Haven, New York; d. June 19, 2010
Raised Lake City Lodge No. 127 in Oswego, New York on April 1, 1947
Called from Labor a few hours before dawn on Saturday, June 19th, 2010.
May His Soul Rest In Everlasting Peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Calvin G. Bond was born 8 Jun 1925 in New Haven, NY. He attended local and Oswego schools, graduated from R. B. I. and I. A. S. of Chicago, took employment in Oswego and retired as Treasurer of Oswego Package Boiler Co., Inc. He was a member of several community and church boards, President of the Oswego County United Fund having also served as County Fund Raising Chairman. He married Constance J. Holmes on 10 Aug 1950.
Most Worshipful and Illustrious Brother Bond was a member of many related Masonic organizations and presiding officer in several. Throughout his life he maintained a keen interest and devotion to the Episcopal Church, their Vestry and Choir, performing often as tenor soloist and in quartettes and other choral groups. He may be heard on “The Greatest of These – Music from the Masonic Home,” a 33 1/3 r.p.m. recording, copies of which are in the archives of the OMDHS.
He received his 60 year Service Pin and Award from M∴W∴ Neil I. Bidnick and the Grand Line at a celebratory dinner in his honor at Lake City Lodge No. 127 on 9 Sep 2007.
Past Grand Master Bond was also a Past Grand Lecturer and served on the Board of The Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home.
He also began the DeMolay Foundation that raised an endowment to fund the orders programs in New York State.
Masonic Record:
1 Apr 47: Raised in Oswego Lodge No. 127, serving as Master in 1954; Organist 1955-60
1954: Fellowship Committee
1956-59: Assistant Grand Lecturer, Oswego District
1959-60: Fellowship Chairman
1960-63: Assistant Grand Lecturer, Oswego District
1965-66: District Deputy Grand Master, Oswego District
1967-68: Grand Master ’s Survey Committee
1968-70: Senior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He created the Officers Training Seminars for Grand Lodge and administered them for six years.
1970-76: Chairman, Grand Lodge Committee on Attendence
1976-82: Trustee of the Masonic Home (Masonic Hall & Asylum Fund), Utica, NY
1982-84: Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of the State of New York
1984-86: Grand Master of Masons, Grand Lodge of the State of New York. As Grand Master he began the Widow’s Program.He also made raising $500,000 for the Order of DeMolay one of his projects, later being elected President of the New York State DeMolay Foundation, nearly tripling their assets during his tenure.
1955: High Priest, Lake Ontario Chapter No. 165, RAM, Oswego, NY. Fraternal Union of Anointed High Priests, NY
1966-68: Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of Maryland
1970-82: Treasurer, Lake Ontario Chapter No. 165, RAM
1975: Grand Captain of the Host
1976: Grand Scribe
1976: Chairman, Grand Chapter Committee on Public Relations and Publicity
1977: Grand King
1977: Masonic Education and Service
1978: Deputy High Priest
1979: Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York; Chairman of the Trustees.
1984: Chairman, Royal Arch Masons Scholarship Fund. Fulton Council No. 50, R&SM. Lake Ontario Commandery No. 32, KT; Commander, 1975. He was for seven years the N. Y. S. Grand Governor of the York Rite Sovereign College, establishing new Colleges in Utica and the Southern Tier during his tenure. He was active in the Scottish Rite, A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse.
27 Sep 77: Crowned an Honorary Member, 33rd degree, Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., NMJ. Founding President of the Oswego County Scottish Rite Club.
1978: DeMolay Legion of Honor.
St. Leo’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Officer.
Central New York, York Rite College No. 27; Officer
Whango Grotto, Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm
Giles Fonda Yates Council NO. 22, Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD)
New York College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF)
1988-99: Appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, holding Ritual Conventions in all 65 Districts in New York State for 10.5 years before retiring.
He was also an accomplished ritualist in the York and Scottish Rites.
Media Temple, AAONMS
New York Court No. 30, Roayl Order of Jesters (ROJ)
Oswego County Shrine Club
Royal Order of Scotland
Order of DeMolay:
1955-58: Lake Ontario Chapter Advisory Committee
1956: Dad Adviser
1957-58: Chairman, Advisory Committee, Order of DeMolay
1975-81: New York Masonic Youth Foundation, Inc;
1976-78: President
1979-80: Chairman of the Board
1982: New York Foundation Board of Directors
1981-82: Oswego Charities, Inc.; Board of Directors Treasurer
Lake City Chapter No. 351, Order of the Eastern Star
1975-82: Masonic Service Bureau, Inc. of Central New York (eMeSBe); Board of Directors
1 Dec 98: Honorary Founder, Oswego Masonic District Historical Society (OMDHS)