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GARDNER MUNROE YEAW 1909-1975
Grand Master 1965-1966
BIOGRAPHY
On Monday, May 17, 1965, Gardner Munroe Yeaw, of Ionic Lodge, No. 28, F. & A. M., Greene, Rhode Island, was elected and installed as the One Hundred and Tenth Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at the time of the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Annual Communication held in Providence, Rhode Island.
Most Worshipful Brother Yeaw was born in Cranston, Rhode Island on December 6, 1909, the son of Gardner H. and Mary (Hanks) Yeaw. He is married to the former Miss Marion Austin of Warwick, Rhode Island and they have three sons: Wayne Munroe, Dennis Gardner and Walter Howard Yeaw.
After completing his education in the Cranston School System, he furthered his education by taking several extension courses with the International Correspondence School. He operates his own Floor and Wall Covering Business.
He is a member of the Tabernacle Church in Fiskeville and with his wife was active in the 50-50 Club for many years.
In civic affairs, he served on the Republican City Committee for the Fourth Ward and has been active in the Republican Party for the City of Cranston for many years.
Most Worshipful Brother Yeaw's Masonic record started in February, 1937, when he was initiated in Ionic Lodge, No. 28, Greene, Rhode Island. He was passed on April 22, 1937 and received the Master Mason Degree on May 22, 1937. He was elected and installed as Worshipful Master of Ionic Lodge on September 25, 1945 and in 1941 accepted the appointment as Chaplain for Ionic Lodge; a position he has served with pride since that time.
Most Worshipful Brother Yeaw was first appointed in Grand Lodge as Assistant Grand Lecturer in 1953 and served the Sixth Masonic District until 1950. At the Annual Communication, in May, 1956 Brother Yeaw was appointed as District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh Masonic District by the presiding Most Worshipful Grand Master, now Past Grand Master Bertram Clarke. He was appointed to succeeding positions through the Districts until May, 1962 when he was elected Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden. In May, 1963 be was elected to Senior Grand Warden and May, 1964 to Deputy Grand Master.
He also serves Grand Lodge as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New York, F.&A.M., near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.
Among his many Masonic affiliations, Most Worshipful Brother Yeaw holds membership in the four bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in the Valley of Providence, and is presently serving as Junior Warden in the Lodge of Perfection.
He is past President of the Sixth District Past Master's Association and holds a membership in the Veteran's Masonic Association of Rhode Island, as well as the Masonic Association of Vermont.
Brother Yeaw holds an honorary membership in Warwick Lodge No. 16, F.& A. M. West Warwick, and the National Sojourners of Narragansett Bay Chapter No. 14, as well as a membership in the Sondrestramfjord Masonic Club, in Sondrestrom, Greenland, and the Sword of Bunker Hill, Gaspee Order No. 99, Providence, Rhode Island. He also belongs to Harmony Chapter No. 15, R. A. M., Edgewood, Rhode Island, and the Palestine Temple, AANOMS, of Cranston, Rhode Island.
He has been elected to receive the Honorary Legion of Honor Degree of the Order of DeMolay.
In June, 1965, Most Worshipful Brother Yeaw was pleased and honored to be presented the Erasmus James Philipps Medallion by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, A.F.&A.M.
