
Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the
Province of Ontario
Est 1907
Dryden Ontario
A Corner Stone Lodge 2014-2016


Solomon's Gavel was manufactured by Clinton Solomon, in memory of his father George Solomon. Clint is a second generation machinist, following in his father's footsteps. George wanted to travel the world and visit lodges around the world, sharing Masonic knowledge and fellowship. In George's memory Clint hopes the gavel will travel the world and gather stories from all across the globe as it makes it journey, for what are we without stories?
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George was born in Richan, Ontario, Canada on February 9th, 1937. While his father was overseas serving in WWII, George attended the Railroad School Car in Richan. His father returned after the war and moved his family to Glenorchy (between Atikokan and Mine Centre).
George worked at local bush camps and the railroad in those years. It was during those early years that George was exposed to machining after visiting a local gold miner at Mine Centre. This piqued his interest in the trade. George continued his love of machining and apprenticed under Duane Perusse and Eldon Berard at the Iron Mines in Atikokan. He worked at Canada Car in Thunder Bay for a short while and then returned to Atikokan to the mines, and then later to the Sapawe Sawmill.
In 1974, George and Alice moved their family to Dryden where he worked in the machine shop at Dryden Paper. At that time, George met his long-time friend, David Gardiner.
1977 saw the family move again to Fort Frances where George became employed with Denis Busch. At this period of time, The “Chonker” and the “U-Bolt Bender” were invented and copyrighted by George and Denis.
In 1981 the family moved back to Dryden as George had become employed by Vulcan Machinery (located where the old shop was on Nymark Rd).
In 1983, George purchased that location and created George Solomon & Sons Machining and Manufacturing LTD. He ran an excellent business that continues to grow today, employing countless people over the years and providing all of us with many skilled tradespeople.
Masonic life was also very important to George, and with his experience in being a gifted orator, he helped many of his brethren along their journey. Fishing was his passion. Lac Seul was his backyard as he knew where to find the big walleye others couldn’t. For those who accompanied him on those trips, the other highlight was being in the passenger seat with George as the driver on the ride to and from the lake!
Winter months, when not visiting the shop and passing on his “gems of wisdom” to the team(as he had a story for everything), were spent at the Rec Centre, either working out or watching his favorite hockey team, the Dryden Ice Dogs, and of course there was George doing the snow plowing while trying to not make contact.
His generosity and willingness to help all were his passion. George had a “can do” attitude and a “get it done” ability that has left a legacy that will live on in our actions and memories.

February 4, 2025 - Brothers of Golden Star Lodge No. 484 gather for the symbolic hand off of Solomon's Travelling Gavel at our regular meeting to send it off to Pequonga Lodge No. 414 and begin its journey to 484 Lodges around the world.
