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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Frank Harry Weir
Frank H. Weir Dies In 90th Year. Frank H. Weir, Past Grand Chancellor in the Knights of Pythias died in hospital at Saint John in his 90th year. Born in Moncton, April 20, 1877, he was a son of the late Robert and Margaret (Flanagan) Weir, and attended school in Moncton before free schools were established. He learned the machinist's trade in the shop of his grandfather, the late Jonathan Weir in Moncton. When he qualified as a journeyman he joined the old Intercolonial Railway and worked there for several years. During these years he was loaned to the New Brunswick Wire Fence Company where he designed and built a machine to produce a type of wire then in demand and was sent to South America for six months to supervise the installation of this machine and to train people to operate and maintain it. On his return to Moncton he was again employed by Intercolonial, but left it a few months later to become a motorman with the street railway then operating on Weldon, St. George, Botsford and Main Streets. Fifty-four years ago he became a civic employee when engaged by the city to drive and maintain a Watrous fire engine purchased in 1913, the first fully motorized piece of fire fighting equipment in the city, which he drove from No. 2 Fire Station on St. George Street. About 30 years ago he transferred to the city water department and was employed at the Highfield Street pumping station until he retired in 1947. In fraternal circles Frank Weir was active in the Pythian Order. He joined Westmorland Lodge No. 3 Knights of Pythias in 1899, became a past chancellor in 1900 and received the Grand Lodge degree in 1902. He served as Grand Chancellor of Maritime Provinces in the term of 1940-1941 and as Supreme Representative 1945-1949. In 1950 he was honoured with life membership in the order. He was also a member of Tidal Wave Temple No. 16. Pythian sisters, and an honourary Royal Prince in Tidabora Temple No. 259 D.O.K.K. In addition, he was a member of the board of directors, Moncton Knights of Pythias Ltd. for 46 years and a past president of the board. He was a member of Molson Company, Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, and was one of the rank team which won top honours for Moncton in international competition at Milwaukee in 1906. He held life membership in Keith Lodge Masonic Order, also in the Independent Order of Foresters. He was a member of the I.A. of M. Lodge 594, and was a charter member of Civic Employees Union Lodge No. 51, where he served as president for 25 years. Throughout his life he was a member of St. John's United Church. Mr. Weir was twice married. His first wife was the former Jennie Lockhart, and they had one son. Harry Weir, now deceased. After the death of his wife, he married Katherine Scott in 1905, who survives him. Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Wilson Fearn, (Marjorie), and Mrs. Walter Fearn, (Frances), both of Ormstown, Quebec and one son, George F. Weir Moncton; one sister, Mrs. George Coombs, (Margaret), of Rutland, Mass., six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. The body is resting in Tuttle Brothers' Slumber room. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. today in Tuttle Brothers' Memorial Chapel. The body will be placed in Elmwood cemetery vault until later in the spring when interment will be in the family lot in the cemetery.
Newspaper: The Moncton Daily Times, Saturday, 24 March 1967
Contact: Garry Weir |
