George Franklin Tautz

Brother

(died 1925)

Temple Lodge, No. 33

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother George Franklin Tautz taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“Tautz – The death occurred at the King’s Daughters’ Hospital, Duncan, on Tuesday, of Mr. George Franklin Tautz, of Maple Bay. Mr. Tautz had enjoyed the best of health all his life until taken suddenly ill two days prior to his death.

Mr. Tautz was born in London, England, from which city he came to Cowichan immediately following his marriage to Miss Kathleen Seaward, also of London, in 1908. He has, therefore, been in this district for the past seventeen years.

Mr. Tautz was by vocation a horticulturalist. Gardening was even more than that to him, it was a hobby, as was also stamp collecting. He was an enthusiastic musician and took a prominent part in many amateur theatricals, as well as in the Cowichan Choral Society.

Besides his wife, there are also left one daughter and two sons, all at home. A brother, Mr. H.E. Tautz, lives in Victoria.

The funeral arrangements, which will be in charge of the Masonic order, will take place on Friday, at 2 p.m., from the lodge room to St. Peter’s church, Quamichan. To Mr. L.C. Brockway has been entrusted the arrangements.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 13 August 1925

“Tautz – The funeral of Mr. George Franklin Tautz took place on Friday under Masonic auspices. A service was held at the lodge rooms of Temple Lodge, No. 33, at which Wor. Bro. H.W. McKenzie, worshipful master, was in charge.

Burial took place in St. Peter’s churchyard, Quamichan, where the Ven. Archdeacon Collison took the first part of the service and also gave the closing prayer. Many floral emblems bore witness to the high esteem in which Mr. Tautz was held.

The following were the pallbearers: Messrs. A.G. Potter, D. Bevan, J.A. Kyle, W.T. Corbishley, T.H.S. Horsfall and E.C. Hawkins. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. L.C. Brockway.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 20 August 1925

Temple Lodge, No. 33 records show Brother George Franklin Tautz was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Temple Lodge in 1911. He was raised to a Master Mason in 1912. He remained a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 in Duncan, B.C. until his death in 1925. Brother Tautz was active in the Lodge but never served in a Lodge office.

His brother, Reginald Tautz, was also a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33.