Masonry Industry Leaders Paige, Borden Pass Away

Words: Dan KamysEugene Wallace Paige Jr. of Salisbury, N.C., passed away Jan. 4 at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Born Oct. 12, 1946, in Rowan County, N.C., he was a son of the late Eugene Wallace Paige, Sr. and Buelah Evington Paige. He was a graduate of Boyden High School and East Carolina University. He was employed with the NC State Highway Department and then with the sales department of Carolina Custom Brick in Raleigh. He was an avid duck hunter, fisherman and golfer. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Louisburg, N.C. Frank Kennon Borden Sr. died peacefully at his home in Hope Valley, Durham, N.C., on Jan. 4. Borden began his career with the Borden Brick & Tile Co. in the sales department. In 1970, he became president of the company, and in 1987, he became chairman. He retired in 1989. He served as a director of the Brick Institute of America and Wachovia Bank of Durham. He was also the former director and president of the Brick Association of North Carolina and a former board member of Borden Manufacturing Co., the American Ceramic Society, and Southchem Inc. A memorial service celebrating Borden’s life was held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Durham. Masonry Magazine wishes to express our deepest condolences for the loss of these two great men.
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 36 Recap: Kim Spahn, CEO of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff
January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin got to sit down for a conversation with Kim Spahn to talk about the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, how Kim first got involved in this industry, and much more.

From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo