SUMMER 2017 MW Bruce W. Widger dean of the Past grand Masters 1924 – 2017 From the Grand east MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson, Grand Master A Memorial Tribute to the late 212/337-6643 Most Worshipful Bruce W. Widger [email protected] Past Grand Master b. 1924 - d. 2017 e, as a Fraternity celebrate the life of our departed in 1990. WGrand Master, our friend and Brother, the Most On the domestic side of life, MW Brother Bruce Widger Worshipful Bruce W. Widger, the distinguished gentle Leader married his lovely bride Mary on October 12, 1952. Their from Marcellus, New York. On March 6, 2017, the day of union was blessed with three children, a daughter, Jane and his passing with the realization that a great Oak has fallen, it two sons, Byron and Brother Dwight, plus nine grandchildren. became the sad duty of our Grand Master to order the sacred Altars of our Lodges to be draped in black mourning cloth. Together with his family Brother Widger had been extremely generous and active with both the First Presbyterian Church MW Brother Bruce Widger lived life as a Mason adopting and the United Methodist Church in the village of Marcellus, its values and precepts into the core of his character. He was where he has served in various leadership roles. always approachable and willing to listen. He had time for everyone, for the newly Initiated to the well-seasoned Past Brother Widger had been quite a prized commodity having Master. Indeed, this Craftsman has laid a strong foundation served the community as a member and ardent supporter of worthy for all to emulate. the Marcellus Historical Society and Rotary Club. Even up until his demise at 93-years of age, Brother Widger continued Brother Widger loved this Fraternity called Freemasonry, to deliver Meals on Wheels to the elderly residing in the local but most of all he really loved the Brothers who are the fabric countryside. woven throughout the Craft. Through his kind example and guidance, Brother Widger not only helped to shape the Close to his heart, Brother Widger was a longtime member Fraternity for the better, his gracious demeanor was the ideal of the Grange, a fraternal, agricultural and family-centric paradigm of civility. Always the consummate Mason, Brother organization, which he served in numerous capacities in the Widger taught us how to be upright Men and Masons and Marcellus Grange and Onondaga County Pomona Grange. how to serve others. He was indeed a great Oak amongst the Reflecting upon the altruistic virtues exemplified by the forest of this Fraternity. Grange, it comes as no surprise that Brother Widger would Aptly coined by the Nobel laureate, Albert Schweitzer, be destined to journey along a path leading to Freemasonry. “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is Brother Widger was Raised a Master Mason in Freedom the only thing.” This statement describes our dearly departed Lodge 324 in Unadilla on April 28, 1953, and affiliated with friend, Brother Bruce Widger to a T. Morning Star Lodge 524 the following year. Seven years The former Dean of the Past Grand Masters, Most later he was elected and installed the Worshipful Master of Worshipful Brother Bruce Widger, expanded his horizons Morning Star Lodge in 1961. He also holds membership in graduating from Churchville High School of Central New the American Lodge of Research since 1973 and the Justice York and then taking up studies at Cornell University, where Robert H. Jackson Lodge of Research since 1999. he earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1951. Brother Widger was appointed in 1969 to the office of Brother Bruce Widger returned to the University ten years Assistant Grand Lecturer. Then in 1970, MW William R. later to serve on the Cornell University Board of Trustees, a Knapp, appointed Brother Widger to serve as the District position that he held for some twenty years until 1981 when Deputy Grand Master of the Second Onondaga District. they honored him with the office of Trustee Emeritus. During Becoming an officer of the Grand Line, then Brother Bruce his tenure on the Board, Brother Widger was instrumental Widger was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in making many decisions that positively impacted upon the of New York from 1972 to 1974, and ascended to Deputy learning opportunities available to students. Grand Master from 1978 to 1980. In private practice, Brother Widger entered into a 25-year Taking upon his shoulders the full mantel of authority and partnership with Dr. Robert Nichols forming the “Nichols & responsibility for the Craft, Most Worshipful Bruce Widger Widger Veterinarians” of Skaneateles, NY, providing primary was elected by acclamation to the office of Grand Master care for small and large animals in Southern Onondaga of Masons in the State of New York, where he served with County. This successful business venture began in 1953 and distinction for two terms from 1980 to 1982. continued until 1979, when Bro. Widger retired from private practice. Brother Bruce Widger had been a member of the York Rite Bodies since 1957 serving as the High Priest of Charles Upon his retirement in 1979, Brother Widger accepted a H. Platt Chapter 247, Royal Arch Masons for four different position with the Division of Animal Industry of the New terms in 1975, 1977, 1999, and 2000. As a member of the York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, becoming Knights Templar, he served as the Commander of Central its Director in 1982 until his retirement from the Department continues to page 8 2 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE “A Way of Life” SUMMER 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 66 / number 2 / sUMMer 2017 IN THIS ISSUE featured HigHligHts: SUMMER 2017 Be it Known . 4-7, 9 Distinguished achievement awards . .12-13 st. John’s Day schedule . 24 Masonic ring. 22-23 area 11 Historian . 28-31 Officers and cOmmittees: MW Bruce W. Widger dean of the Past grand Masters 1924 – 2017 from the Grand east . 2 This edition will be Grand secretary . 8 dedicated to Deputy Grand Master . 10 MW Bruce W. Widger who passed away senior Grand Warden . 11 March 6, 2017 Masonic Brotherhood fund . 11 Junior Grand Warden . 14 Committee on youth . 15 Masonic Care Community. 16 acacia Village . 20 Masonic War Veterans of the state of new york . 21 Grand Chaplain’s Corner . 27 award Committee. 32 from the Webmaster . 34 Masonic Medical research laboratory . 35 Grand lodge educational assistance Program (eaP). 36 years of service. 37-43 Dates to remember and submission Guidelines. 43 DeMolay . 44-45 Grand lecturer . 46 Camp Turk . 47 Grand Master’s UK Journey . 48 TRUSTEES OF THE MASONIC HALL AND ASYLUM FUND Publisher The Empire State Mason is an Official Publication of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund. Edited by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York for the members of the Masonic Fraternity and their families. CONSULTANTS PosTMasTer: Jeffrey M. WilliaMson WilliaM M. sarDone PeTer a. fliHan iii Please send address changes to: Grand Master – editor in Chief Deputy Grand Master Grand Treasurer The empire state Mason Circulation Department JOAN C. BoWer riCHarD s. Morley PaUl M. rosen 71 West 23rd street assistant editor senior Grand Warden Grand secretary ny, ny 10010-4149 Periodicals Class Publication 56874 niCHolas J. PaoliCelli LORAINE DiBley 1-(800) 362-7664 Junior Grand Warden Graphic Designer Website at www.nymasons.org subscription $6.00 Domestic, $15.00 foreign per year. subscription free to all members of constituent lodges of the Grand lodge f. & a.M. state of new york. Copyright ©2017 by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund. all rights reserved. reproduction by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credit. all others must obtain written permission. Published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and Winter months by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund, 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149. THe eMPire sTaTe Mason (issn 0013-6794 Published at 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149). Periodicals postage paid at new york, ny and additional mailing offices. Grand secretary rW PaUl M. ROSEN, Grand secretary Masonic Hall 71 West 23rd street Be It Known new york, NY 10010 212/337-6644 May 19, 2017 [email protected] o: The officers of The Grand Line, aLL permanenT Treasurer, for three years in place of RW Nathan D. Lipper, Tmembers, disTricT depuTy Grand masTers, Grand term expired. Continuing in unexpired terms are: RW Keith sword bearers, Grand direcTors of ceremonies, Grand Heinrich, (2019); RW G. Michael Morris, (2019); RW Paul sTewards, Grand chapLains, aLL emeriTus Grand LodGe D. Reitz, (2018); RW Joseph J. Saglimbene, (2019); RW officers, TrusTees of The masonic haLL & asyLum fund, Michael J. Siegel, (2018); and RW David P. Spencer, Secretary, direcTors of The masonic medicaL research LaboraTory, (2018). TrusTees of The chanceLLor roberT r LivinGsTon masonic DIRECTORS OF THE MASONIC MEDICAL Library of The Grand LodGe of new york, eLecTed Grand RESEARCH LABORATORY elected or reelected were: RW posT of The masonic war veTerans, commissioners of Michael A. Chaplin, for three years in place of RW Michael The commission of appeaLs, Grand LodGe commiTTee A. Chaplin, term expired; RW Paul A. Guerrero, Secretary, members, aLL officers of The disTricT Grand LodGe of for three years in place of RW Paul A. Guerrero, term expired; syria – Lebanon, Grand represenTaTives of oTher Grand RW Robert A. Hewson, for three years in place of RW Robert LodGes, assisTanT Grand LecTurers, and To aLL worshipfuL A. Hewson, term expired; RW Sheldon B. Richman, for three masTers, senior & Junior wardens, Treasurers and years in place of RW Sheldon B.