District Deputy Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada
in the Province of Ontario, Ontario District

Right Worshipful Brother Ronald “Ron” D. De Merchant was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. The youngest of 3 children of a Dutch War Bride and her Canadian Army liberator. He had an enjoyable childhood which included, among other things, go-kart racing and snowmobiling with his brother, 8 years his senior, and regular visits with his sister, who was 16 years older, her husband and 2 nieces. Unfortunately, at the age of 16 he lost his father, a victim of the struggle with Post Traumatic Stress left over from the war.

In 1985, Ron met the love of his life, Sandy, who became his wife in 1986. They have a son, Louis, who proudly is a Senior DeMolay, a Lewis, a Master of Hope Lodge No. 114, and presently, like his mother, a serving Officer in His Majesty’s Royal Canadian Navy assigned to the Cadet and Junior Ranger program.

A 36+ year Public Servant, Ron has served in the law enforcement and public safety sectors both provincially and municipally. Most recently he has gathered over 14 years’ experience managing diverse vehicle fleets and services in the public sector. One of his greatest achievements was receiving the Peace Officer’s Exemplary Service Medal in 2009 for “service protecting the safety and security of the Canadian public”.

In other professional accomplishments, Ron is a graduate of Conestoga College and Brock University, and has taught at both the Ontario Corrections College and Durham College.  He is an active member of the Fleet Safety Council of Ontario Central-East Chapter and the Ontario Association of Chief’s of Police.

Our DDGM began his Masonic journey in Scott Lodge No. 421 A.F. & A.M. in Grand Valley, Ontario where he was Initiated on December 9, 1989, Passed, Raised, and then served in the office of Worshipful Master in 1994. He also for a time was affiliated with Trillium Lodge No. 724 A.F. & A.M., G.R.C.  in Guelph, joining his public service colleagues there. There he participated in and served as Worshipful Master of the Ontario Correctional Service’s Degree Team conducting the MM degree throughout the province. After his service in the officer lineup in Scott Lodge, he took on the role of Secretary for a time until a career change required him to move to Port Hope, Ontario where he joined Hope Lodge No.114. Then in 2007 he served as Worshipful Master of the lodge, and again took on the role of Secretary upon the sudden passing of his predecessor, a role in which he served for 12 years before becoming DDGM. During visits to his cousin, a Freemason in the Netherlands, Ron was accorded honourary membership in both Loge L'Astre de l'Orient, and Loge Scaldis.

Ron has been active as an advisor and supporter of the Order of DeMolay for Boys and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Masonic youth groups that do much to help young women and men grow and become leaders and puts Freemasonry in the forefront of their lives. He was awarded the DeMolay Cross of Honour for “exceptional efforts on behalf of the Order of DeMolay and conspicuously meritorious service to the jurisdiction” of Ontario.

Ron is also an active 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason; first joining in the Valley of Guelph, and now an active member of the Valley of Peterborough and Moore Sovereign Consistory in Hamilton. He is a York Rite Mason; again, first joining in Guelph and now as a member of Victoria Chapter and Palestine Preceptory in Port Hope. Ron crossed the hot sands, joining Rameses Shriners in 1992, is a member of Tecumseh Shrine Club in Caledon East, Ontario, and Lakeshore Shrine Club, Port Hope, both of which he has served as Secretary and President. He still serves Lakeshore as Treasurer and has transported children for treatment to Shriners Hospitals in both Montreal, Quebec, and Erie, Pennsylvania. Ron has been appointed an Ambassador for the Potentate of Rameses since 2022.