Supreme Council Presents Tompkins Medal to Brother Roger Pellerin, 33°, MSA

by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager

On May 31, 2022, at the Valley of Nashua’s stated meeting, Supreme Council conferred The Daniel D. Tompkins Medal on Illustrious Brother Roger Pellerin, 33°, MSA, for his outstanding and exemplary service to the Masonic Fraternity at large.

The Tompkins Medal is a unique Supreme Council recognition that honors distinguished contributions not often witnessed by the general membership. The medal is named in honor of Daniel D. Tompkins, first Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (1813- 1825) and former U.S. Vice President under President James Monroe.

“One of the great privileges I have as Deputy for the State of New Hampshire is to recognize distinguished Scottish Rite Masons who’ve labored in the quarries in support of our beloved Scottish Rite,” said Ill. Brother Ken Clay Jr., 33˚. “Illustrious Brother Pellerin is the consummate ‘behind the scenes’ supporter of Scottish Rite and New Hampshire Freemasonry,” he said.

A life-long resident of Hudson, New Hampshire, Roger joined Rising Sun Lodge #39 in Nashua and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in 1986. Just one month later, Brother Pellerin joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Nashua, receiving his degrees in all four bodies. He served as Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge from 1995-1997 and was coroneted a 33˚ Mason by Supreme Council in 1999 in Atlantic City.

He quickly took part in non-speaking roles in the Lodge of Perfection and Consistory degrees, followed by speaking roles, then directed Lodge of Perfection degrees. In 1997,he took over directing the Allegorical portion of the 32nd degree and continued directing for the Lodge of Perfection and Consistory for 15 years.

Ill. Brother Pellerin has been an active supporter of the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Nashua, serving on its Board of Governors and taking part in fundraising efforts, from walk-a-thons to golf tournaments. He chaired the popular Tony Pace (a Las Vegas entertainer with local ties to New England) fundraising events. When Brother Pellerin learned that Tony was going to become a Freemason, he traveled with two other Brothers to be at his raising in Las Vegas.

Through his craft as an operative stonemason, Brother Pellerin has also created and donated numerous granite dedication markers to New Hampshire Grand Lodge.

His additional recognitions include the Major General John Sullivan Distinguished Service Medal in Bronze, presented in 1996 by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire for his dedication to the Craft, and the Meritorious Service Award from New Hampshire Council of Deliberation in 2007.

Shown (l to r) are Ill. Brother Roger Pellerin, 33˚, MSA; Ill. Robert Bianci, 33˚; and Ill. Robert Hansen, 33˚.