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 seperately.

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 tenants.

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 extrordinary 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 sucessfully marshall 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.

This site is lovingly dedicated to Calvin G. Bond and will serve as one of the historical archives for this Great American and icon of Freemasonry.

While many people have been touched by our dear friend Calvin, we are grateful to have shared his friendship and company many times during the twilight of his years. The wisdom, insight and philosophical depth expressed by this highly intelligent, yet very private gentleman, allowed our conversations to span distances not often covered in a lifetime. Like a multifaceted jewel, he could switch his mastery of many disciplines in the blink of an eye. His sheer and unadulterated appreciation for the great beauty of the natural world and of the arts could take your breath away. A very special person we will always hold dear in our hearts. Calvin G. Bond was our inspiration for creating this web site.

John & Barb Grala (25 Aug 2010), Oswego, New York

Uncle Calvin was our inspiration for working so hard on building the new Lodge. One of our proudest moments was when the Lodge was formally dedicated by the Grand Lodge of New York's Grand Line, including Uncle Calvin, on April 18, 2009, while I was Master of Lake City Lodge No. 127.

Ron & Jackie Bond (1 Sep 2010), Oswego, New York

I am saddened by the loss of one of our stalwart leaders in the Craft. Earlier this week we laid to rest our dear friend, brother and teacher, Most Worshipful Calvin G. Bond, a Past Grand Master who retired the Working Tools of a Mason this past Saturday.

Brother Calvin Bond’s life was filled with generous activity and devoted labor, which enamored him into prominence within Masonic as well as private circles. However, it was his forthright gentle nature and compassion toward others, which was as unostentatious as it is kind, a distinction that clearly made Brother Bond one of our most revered and admired men in Masonry.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

M∴W∴ Vincent Libone, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, 26 June 2010, St. John’s Day, Utica, New York

We know that Calvin Bond believed that this world was but one facet of existence, and that as full as his life was, there is a journey that continues. We know that he would allow us a moment of grief as we mourn his passing, realizing that we must carry on our journeys here without his presence along the way. But in our sadness we remember the happiness and Brotherhood his life exemplified for the Craft and for each of us who knew and loved him.

R∴W∴ Richard Bateman, Assistant Grand Secretary of Masons in the State of New York, The Empire State Mason, Fall 2010

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.

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 Advisor
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)

This section is reserved as a repository to present reflections in memoriam for our dearly departed Brother the M∴W∴ Calvin G. Bond, Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.