Woman donates sword to Mason Son suggests gift after fire destroys relics

HAMPDEN – When the Bangor Masons lost their temple in a January fire, the flames destroyed irreplaceable relics and memorabilia.

But when Cindy Boudreau of Hampden and her son, Travis, 19, heard about the treasures that were lost, they knew they had something that could help.

While cleaning out her parents’ attic in their Bangor house in 1966, Boudreau, now 53, came across a Masonic sword, along with a WWII helmet and uniform.

She discovered it had belonged to a Mason who used it for ceremonial meetings. Boudreau had the sword cleaned and buffed so the Masonic emblem and gold-plated lettering shone clear on the blade. Years later she hung it in Travis’ bedroom wall, and her family admired the relic without ever trying to find its price value.

“It’s more of a conversational piece than a value piece for us,” she said.

When the fire destroyed the Masonic temple, Travis suggested they donate the sword to the organization. Boudreau made some phone calls and discovered that Bill Mansur, one of the local Masons, had lost his sword in the fire. Boudreau presented her sword to Mansur at the site of the former Masonic temple.

“His eyes watered and he couldn’t thank me enough,” Boudreau said.

Right down to the Mason emblem on its handle, the sword is exactly the same as Mansur’s except for a name engraved in gold lettering on the blade: Walter Mills.

Boudreau said she does not know who Mills is, but said Mansur is researching the sword’s history.

“I was touched,” Boudreau said. “I was glad my son and I were able to give [the sword].”