- 1953-07-27 —
Siegfried (Fred) Schopflocher, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal and was buried beside the grave of Sutherland Maxwell in Mount Royal Cemetery at the Guardian's suggestion. He was born in Germany in 1877. [BW12:664-666, LOF390, TG119, CBNS 24 July 2014, Bahá'í Chronicles, SCRIBD, Schopflocher, Siegfried (1877–1953) by Will C. van den Hoonaard; CBN No 43 August 1953 p4; CBN No 44 September 1953 p2; MtC185-187]
- Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. [MoCxxiii]
- See TG32, 228 and LoF384-390 for short biographies.
- See Schopflocher, Siegfried by Will C. van den Hoonaard.
- For his obituary see BW12:664–6.
- He was known as the "Chief Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the West. [BW12:664-666]
- He made significant contributions to Green Acre both financially and administratively.
- During the period 1924 to 1947 he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada fifteen times. He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada from its formation until his passing.
- He was instrumental in the purchase of the first property for the Haziratu'l Quds.
- For a brief biography see Bahá'í Chronicles.
- Find a grave.
- His funeral was held on the 31st of July presided by the chair of the National Spiritual Assembly John Robarts. The eulogy was delivered by the vice-chair, Rowland Estall. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p7-10]
- On August 23, the Montreal Assembly arranged a memorial
service in the Maxwell Home which was attended by members
of the National Assembly and friends, mainly from the
Montreal area. This service in Fred's home community was
intimate and personal. Many people recalled with loving
gratitude personal associations with Fred, kindly and helpful
things he had done in his unobtrusive way, gifts of hospitality
or consideration that they had treasured sometimes for many
years. [CBN No 46 November 1953 Insert]
- The Shrines Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly was charged with the erection of the gravestone. A memorial fund set
up to permit believers to contribute to it. [CBN #69 October 1955 p4, 8]
- The National Spiritual Assembly inaugurated the Committee for the Estate of
S. Schopflocher and appointed
Mr. Bert. Rakovsky,
471-A Strathcona Ave.,
W estmount, Que.
Functions : The interest of the National Spiritual Assembly in
the affairs of the S. Schopflocher Estate are
turned over to this committee for representation
in dealing with the lawyers and the
beneficiaries and the committee is to do all
in its power to expedite the handling of
these affairs. [CBN #56 September 1954 p8]
- A memorial service was held in the Temple in Wilmette on the 28th of August. [CBN No 46 November, 1953 p3]
- 1955-04-29 —
The National Convention was held in Toronto with the meetings and the Public Congress held in the King Edward Hotel. Elected were: Lloyd Gardner (chair), Allan Raynor (vice-chair), Audrey Westheuser (secretary), Peggy Ross (treasurer), Rowland Estall, Angus Cowan, Winnifred Harvey, Donald MacLaren, Albert Rakovsky. [CBN No 65 June 1955 p4]
- List of delegates. [CBN No 62 March, 1955 p1]
- On May 1st the friends shared in a Memorial Service for Marion Jack. The delegates and other believers gathered in Victoria Hall in Westmount for a brief commemoration and prayers in advance of the main Memorial Service at the Temple. [CBN No 62 March, 1955 from the 4-page insert]
- The Guardian's message to the National Convention dated 17 April 1954 was distributed as an insert to CBN No 54 Jun 1954. The message list recent accomplishments.
- See the National Convention report, the Guardian's supplementary message to the Convention and a letter, Progress at the World Centre from the International Bahá'i Council. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p4]
- 1955-07-03 —
Over two hundred friends attended a memorial service at the House of Worship in Wilmette to honour the memory of Marion Jack. The service was held on the advice of the Guardian and was prepared by the National Assembly of the USA in association with the National Assembly of Canada and the European Teaching Committee. Laura Davis represented the Canadian community and read the opening prayer.
- Hand of the Cause Paul Haney chaired the event and Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins, who was present when the Guardian heard the news of her passing, recalled how he used to say that Marion Jack was a perfect pattern for pioneers. Edna True recounted knowing her as an artist at Green Acre and Horace Holley drew attention to the fact that the Guardian identified her along with Martha Root and other distinguished teachers of the Faith. [CBN No 63 April 1955, Insert p4]
- 1956-12-00 —
The passing of Leslie Silversides.
Leslie became a Bahá'í in 1945 and while visiting Emeric and Rosemary Sala became aware of the necessity and urgency of making contact with the Native People. When a new school opened on a Reserve in the fall of 1947 he re-assumed his career as a teacher. Mabel and Leslie Silversides, were the first non-Aboriginal Bahá'ís in Canada to move to a reserve. When a memorial service was held for him on December 16th some 50 or 60 Native people from the Reserve where he had been teaching attended, some walking as far as 10-12 miles. Another service was held on December 17th in Regina, his former community. After his passing his wife Mabel resumed teaching. She passed away in 1992. Both were buried in the Wolseley Cemetery. [Encylopedia of Saskatchewan; CBN No86 March, 1957 p4]
- Note mention made of Carlye Reserve Meadow Lake in CBN No 92 September 1957 pg 2. Could this have been where the Silversides lived and taught school?
- Find a grave.
- Mention made of "Gordon Silversides" of Meadow Lake in CBN No 92 September 1957 pg 2.
- 1957-11-09 —
The funeral for Shoghi Effendi was attended by Lloyd Gardner, Peggy Ross, Allan Raynor, Rowland Estall, Hartwell Bowsfield and Winnifred Harvey representing the Canadian Bahá'í community. Hand of the Cause John Robarts, living in Africa at the time, attended in his capacity as a Hand of the Cause. Jameson and Gale Bond also attended. [CBN No 95 December, 1957 Insert p4]
- Memorial services were held across Canada both on the day of the funeral and on November 18th as requested by Ruhiyyih Khanum. [CBN No 96 January, 1958 p6]
- Following the directive of the Hands of the Cause resident in the Holy Land, the National Spiritual Assembly asked the Canadian community to refrain from "all manner of religious festivity" for a period of nine months which began on the 4th of November and ended the 4th of August. The "festive anniversaries" that fell during this period were Intercalary Days, Naw-Rúz, the Feast of Ridván and the Declaration of the Báb. In making this request the Hands were following Shoghi Effendi's example on the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf in 1932. [CBN No 97 February, 1958 p1]
- See report by Winnifred Harvey.
- 1967-10-29 — The launch of the Centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation to the kings and the rulers in Toronto. A 30-minute memorial service for Catherine Huxtable was added to the program that included an eulogy by Michael Rochester. [LNW176-179]
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