Ill.Bro.Sankey,33° began his masonic involvement in 1919. At that time, his uncle, Past Grand Master William Ponton, wrote the annual "Fraternal Reviews" for Grand Lodge, and Bro.Sankey became his proofreader.
He was initiated into University Lodge No. 496, Toronto on March 9, 1927 and became a life member. He also affiliated with St. Andrew's Lodge No.6, G.R.Q., and later, North Star Lodge No.121, G.R.Q., in Baie Comeau, Quebec. After his move to St. Catharines he joined Perfection Lodge No.616, becoming its Worshipful Master in 1950. He was elected D.D.G.M. of Niagara District "A" in 1967-1968 and for many years served as a member of the Board of General Purposes of Grand Lodge, serving on many committees, in particular the Masonic Education Committee. And partly I think in memory of his Uncle Willie, he wrote the "Fraternal Reviews" for Grand Lodge for quite a few years.
In Capitular Masonry, he received the Royal Arch degree on November 9, 1962, in Mount Moriah Chapter No.19, St.Catharines, becoming First Principal in 1970. He joined Plantagenet Preceptory No.8 K.T., St. Catharines, in 1964 and Harrington Conclave No.16, Hamilton, in 1973.
His Scottish Rite involvement began in Quebec City, and he received his 14° on February 25, 1932 and the 18° on April 16, 1933. Following his move to St. Catharines, he received the 32° in Moore Sovereign Consistory, Hamilton, on March 6, 1936. He affiliated with Elgin Lodge of Perfection in Niagara Falls and became T.P.G.M. in 1944. He served as Trustee for many years and was appointed Grand Orator Emeritus. He was Chair of the founding committee of Niagara Chapter of Rose Croix, was a charter member and again served as Trustee for many years. He was coronated Honorary Inspector-General in Quebec City in 1946, and Sovereign Grand Inspector-General at Vancouver on September 8, 1973. He served as Chairman of the Special Committee on Annual Sessions, was a very active Chair of the Committee on Rituals and Ritualistic Matters, and put much effort into working with Ill.Bro.Pierre Phaneuf to recreate the degree rituals in French. He was Vice-President of the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation, and initiated the fund's focus on assisting research into "Puzzles of the Mind", primarily Dyslexia, Autism, and Alzheimer's.
He was admitted to the Royal Order of Scotland in 1947 and was an officer in that body for many years.
George King PDDGM,32° (his son)