Richard Toomath
Father of Toronto Orangeman
Worshipful Brother Richard Toomath, a member of Toronto’s John Knox L.O.L.2996 had two claims to fame, one of which certainly earned him the nickname “father” of Toronto Orangemen.
Born near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh he was a descendant of a Dutch soldier who accompanied William on his many expeditions including having fought by his side at the Battle of the Boyne. His forefather stayed in Ireland after the Battles.
In 1937 Richard had been 56 years an Orangeman, having first joined Maguiresbridge True Blues Lodge and afterwards McCalmont True Blues #525 where he held the office of Worshipful Master for eleven years. Arriving in Canada (year not noted) he went first to Hamilton where he was a member of Victoria L.O.L. and later transferred to John Knox L.O.L.2996 after moving to Toronto.
The title “father” of Toronto Orangemen is not based on anything he founded or originated but rather on his ability to procreate: Richard Toomath begat twenty-five children. The twenty-five were born to three different wives 14 to the first, 1 to the second and 10 to his third wife.
His third wife was a couple of years younger than his 47 year-old eldest daughter. Brother Toomath had four sons and a daughter serve in World War One and eight family members had joined various branches of the Orange Association, “I have enough offspring to start my own lodge” he quipped.
Brother Toomath lived on Orchard Park Boulevard in the east-end and noted he “would never consider a motorcar” on the Twelfth of July. The Toronto Star noted that the 73 year-old “stepped out like a stripling” in the 1937 Toronto Parade, and can still walk from Woodbine and Queen to City Hall in fifty minutes.
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – August 20th, 2009
Born near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh he was a descendant of a Dutch soldier who accompanied William on his many expeditions including having fought by his side at the Battle of the Boyne. His forefather stayed in Ireland after the Battles.
In 1937 Richard had been 56 years an Orangeman, having first joined Maguiresbridge True Blues Lodge and afterwards McCalmont True Blues #525 where he held the office of Worshipful Master for eleven years. Arriving in Canada (year not noted) he went first to Hamilton where he was a member of Victoria L.O.L. and later transferred to John Knox L.O.L.2996 after moving to Toronto.
The title “father” of Toronto Orangemen is not based on anything he founded or originated but rather on his ability to procreate: Richard Toomath begat twenty-five children. The twenty-five were born to three different wives 14 to the first, 1 to the second and 10 to his third wife.
His third wife was a couple of years younger than his 47 year-old eldest daughter. Brother Toomath had four sons and a daughter serve in World War One and eight family members had joined various branches of the Orange Association, “I have enough offspring to start my own lodge” he quipped.
Brother Toomath lived on Orchard Park Boulevard in the east-end and noted he “would never consider a motorcar” on the Twelfth of July. The Toronto Star noted that the 73 year-old “stepped out like a stripling” in the 1937 Toronto Parade, and can still walk from Woodbine and Queen to City Hall in fifty minutes.
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – August 20th, 2009
