History | Masonic Interments In The Victoria Jewish Cemetery, British Columbia

LOCATED between Acton and Ryan Streets on Cedar Hill Road, this is the oldest Jewish cemetery in western Canada. Written on the gatepost of Victoria’s Jewish Cemetery is the Hebrew phrase, “Bays Ha Chayim” (House of the Living).

Noteworthy are seven gravemarkers with the masonic square and compasses, and an eighth, that of freemason Morris Price, shot in his store in the gold rush town of Cayoosh, and the cemetery’s first interment. Further information is available through the Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria.

The following list of masonic interments may not be complete. Click on for images.

Gravemarkers with masonic symbols

Berman, David

1901/07/01 – 1998/01/20

Burns, Harry

1874/02/09 – 1929/10/06

Friedlander, Elias

1846-1927

Lancaster, Isador

d. 1924/10/17 aged 48

Levy, Lewis

d. 1926/01/18 aged 78

Lewis, Lewis

d. 1904/07/04 aged 77

Macara, Max Harvey

1912 – 2001

No masonic symbols on gravemarkers

Oppenheimer, David

Vancouver-Quadra Lodge No. 2, Victoria

Price, Morris

Wolfe, Marcus

c.1845-1896/11/22

Ashlar lodge No. 3, Nanaimo

Further information.

Masonic notes: Robie L. Reid, Historical Notes and Biographical Sketches 1848 – 1935. “No masonic record” refers to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon only. Photos and list by Bro. Mark Anderson, Vancouver & Quadra Lodge No. 2, Victoria, BC.
Gatepost photo : CE Leonoff, JHS (1975).