Most Worshipful Brother Claude Alfred John Green (1904-2003) joined Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1927. He served as Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge, No.33 in 1941 and Grand Master of B.C. & Yukon in 1957-58.
He was also a member of Tzouhalem Chapter, No. 26, serving as 3rd principal in 1945, 2nd Principal in 1946 and 1st Principal in 1947.
Claude Green was Initiated, Passed and Raised in Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1927. Claude Green’s father, Alfred Edward Green, was also a member of Temple Lodge, No.33 and was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1927, the year Claude Green joined Temple Lodge, No.33. W.Bro. Alfred Green is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, on Somenos Road in North Cowichan.
There are several building in Duncan associated with Claude Green. The house at 733 Wharncliffe Road was built for Claude and Edna Green in 1927 by architect Douglas James.
Claude and Edna Green sold 733 Wharncliffe Road in 1937 and built a new house on Grieve Road in North Cowichan.
There are two commercial buildings on Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan associated with Claude Green. The first is 161 Kenneth Street, in which Claude Green ran his paint contracting business in the 1930 and 1940s. 161 Kenneth Street has been a restaurant for years but there is still a painted sign, circa 1940, visible on an exterior wall advertising Claude Green’s paint contracting business.
In 1949, Claude Green built a new building for his business at 151-159 Kenneth Street. He intended to operate his business from the main floor and rent out the four apartments on the second floor. Instead he sold the building to a group of doctors who wanted an investment property. This building is now occupied by Volume One Books (and has been since 1972) and is a downtown Duncan landmark.
Claude Green lived a very active and productive life.
Here is a brief biographical sketch of Most Worshipful Brother Claude Green, taken from his 2003 obituary in the local newspaper:
“GREEN – Claude Alfred John, died at Royal Jubilee Hospital, September 7 2003. Claude was born March 11, 1904, in Wealdstone, Middlesex, a northwestern suburb of Folkestone, on the coast of Kent, where he completed his schooling and participated in competitive rowing. In 1921 they emigrated to Canada and settled in Duncan. Claude started a painting and decorating business in 1925, which later evolved into a very successful painting contracting enterprise, primarily utilized by sawmills, pulp mills and logging camps up and down the B.C. coast. After retiring from contracting he became a driving Instructor for the next ten years, an occupation which gave him great enjoyment. In 1928 he married Edna Castley, a member of one of the pioneering families of the Cowichan Valley, and they built two homes – the first on Wharncliffe Road and, in 1937, a larger one on Grieve Road for their expanding family, a son, Rodney, and a daughter, Sylvia. Edna and Claude were married for 71 happy years. Claude was involved in many facets of local community life, including the Duncan Volunteer Fire Department; the Junior Chamber of Commerce; the Masonic Lodge (becoming Grand Master of British Columbia and Yukon in 1957-58); the Cowichan Cricket Club; the Cowichan Historical Society and Cowichan Valley Museum; Meals on Wheels; and the Cowichan District Hospital Association, of which he was chairman for ten years. During this time he was closely involved in the planning and construction of the Cowichan District Hospital, which opened in September 1967. He was chosen Duncan’s Citizen of the Year in 1967 in recognition of his contributions to the community while serving on the hospital board. Claude was predeceased by his wife, Edna; son, Rodney; daughter-in-law, Jean; grandson, Bruce Green; sister, Edna Swan and brother, Malcolm. He will be greatly missed by daughter, Sylvia (Glenn) Dyer, daughter-in-law Eileen and eight grandchildren, Lyn (Douglas) Bain, Laurie Green (Cyril), Ian (Dinaurea) Cheffins, Lyle (Yvonne) Green, Brian (Joanna) Cheffins, Karen (Jim) Dunn, Christine (Paul) Ringrose and Jonathan Cheffins (Kristianne). He is also survived by six great-granddaughters, six great-grandsons, and nieces and nephews in Canada, England and the United States. The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Faulkner (Claude’s friend, physician and biographer) for his care and support and the marvelous staff at Wedgwood House, where Claude resided for the last three years, for their assistance and many kindnesses. A wonderful life well lived. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Claude’s memory to the Duncan District Hospital Foundation, #4-466 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3R6 or the Cowichan Valley Museum, Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at the Silver Bridge Inn Travelodge at 2:00 p.m.
First Memorial Funeral Services 250-748-2134”
(Source: Cowichan Leader – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
Claude and Edna Green are buried in St. Mary’s Somenos Anglican cemetery on Somenos Road, North Cowichan.
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