Reflections

Twenty-two years is a long time to travel to visit fellow Masons, their widows and friends of the fraternity, but it was well worth it. As I reflect on some of the events over those years that stand out,

I hope you will enjoy my walk down memory lane:

Presenting Brother Doug, who was 101 years old at the time, with his 75-year service award at a luncheon. When he called me the morning of the reception to ask if he could attend in his golf outfit since he would be arriving from the 18th green for his award, I replied, “Absolutely, yes!”

Visiting Masonic widows to deliver their Blue Slipper pins and reflecting upon the lives of their Masonic husbands. Priceless!

The many hours I spent in the homes of fellow Masons, listening to their life stories. Especially moving were the stories of the many veterans of the armed forces and the hardships they endured in their lifetimes.

The time the Grand Master arranged a luncheon for me with actor Brother Ernest Borgnine (think "McHale’s Navy" and "Airwolf") to host 30 Pennsylvania Masons. Ernest spent three hours meeting privately with each Mason in attendance.

One of my fondest memories is of Brother Gary from Pottstown. Gary retired and had a barbershop. He was a regular contributor to the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, where his mother resided in the Masonic Health Care Center. When Gary saw me the first time, he insisted I needed a haircut. He was really good! It helped me understand why my wife would drive for an hour to get her hair done. Gary sadly passed away a few years ago, and my hair has never been the same since.

We spend the majority of our adult lives at work, so I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful team I had the pleasure of working with in the Office of Mission Advancement and Development. My dear friends, I leave you in very capable hands. Look for the team to continue sharing important information with our donors via an email newsletter.

Since I joined the Masonic Charities, our team has helped facilitate over $200 million in past, present and future gifts to further the vital missions of our philanthropic endeavors.

This is a testament to the generosity of our membership, widows and friends of the fraternity and their belief in the good our charities do every day. Considering last year alone, our Masonic Villages provided $48.5 million in charitable care and services across the state. Our missions simply could not be fulfilled without your selfless gifts.

Thank you for permitting me to be a small part of your life. God Bless!