
Worshipful Brother Richard Ward
Dear Brethren,
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing to the Grand Lodge above of Worshipful Brother & Excellent Companion Richard Ward, PAGDC, on Monday 1st of July 2024 (77)
Brother Richard had been bravely fighting cancer for some time, his positiveness, sense of humour and kindness always shone through even when times were getting tough.
Richard passed peacefully in Addenbrookes Hospital with his family by his side.
What follows is a reminder of Richards Masonic journey which started when he was Initiated on the 7th of April 1992 in Gilbert Inglefield Lodge L8009
No. | Name | Prov | Join type | Date | Status | Status Effective | ||
L8009 | Gilbert Inglefield | Beds. | Initiate | 07/04/1992 | Current | 19/08/1992 | ||
L5000 | Robert de Parys | Beds. | Joiner | 24/11/1994 | Elected to Honorary | 24/05/2024 | ||
L9577 | Bedfordshire Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards | Beds. | Joiner | 24/06/2003 | Current | 10/07/2003 | ||
L7301 | Bedfordshire Lodge of Installed Masters | Beds. | Joiner | 02/06/2006 | Resigned | 27/04/2022 | ||
L9848 | Michael Sawyer Lodge of Reunion | Beds. | Founder | 18/09/2009 | Current | 18/09/2009 | ||
L2727 | St Audrey | Cambs. | Joiner | 10/01/2023 | Current | 10/01/2023 | ||
L5000 | Robert de Parys | Beds. | Honorary | 24/05/2024 | Current | 24/05/2024 | ||
On the 17th of February 1995 Richard was Exalted into Royal Arch, Mercury Chapter C7289
No. | Name | Prov | Join type | Date | Status | Status Effective |
C7289 | Mercury | Beds. | Exaltee | 17/02/1995 | Elected to Honorary | 17/05/2024 |
C7301 | Bedfordshire First Principals’ | Beds. | Joiner | 26/06/2009 | Current | 26/06/2009 |
C9577 | Bedfordshire Chapter of Provincial Grand Stewards | Beds. | Founder | 26/03/2022 | Current | 26/03/2022 |
C2727 | Caldwell | Cambs. | Joiner | 16/01/2023 | Current | 16/01/2023 |
C7429 | Cambridgeshire First Principals’ | Cambs. | Joiner | 03/03/2023 | Current | 03/03/2023 |
C7289 | Mercury | Beds. | Honorary | 17/05/2024 | Current | 17/05/2024 |
At one time or another Richard undertook all the Principal Offices in his Craft Lodges and Chapters, an amazing Masonic career.
Richard was also a member of The Biggleswade Chapter Rose Croix RC833
Grand Ranks
Craft
Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) 27/04/2016
Royal Arch
Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) 29/04/2021
Bedfordshire Provincial Ranks
Craft Rank Provincial
Past Provincial Grand Steward (PProvGStwd, Beds.) | 15/10/2002 | |
Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (ProvAGDC, Beds.) | 18/10/2005 | 17/10/2006 |
Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon (PProvSGD, Beds.) | 20/10/2009 | 26/10/2010 |
Provincial Grand Registrar (ProvGReg, Beds.) | 16/10/2012 | 18/10/2016 |
Royal Arch Rank Provincial
Provincial Grand Steward (ProvGStwd, Beds.) | 09/04/2011 | 31/03/2012 |
Provincial Grand Registrar (ProvGReg, Beds.) | 01/04/2017 | 06/04/2019 |
Third Provincial Grand Principal (3rdProvGPrin, Beds.) | 06/04/2019 | 26/03/2021 |
Worshipful Brother Richard our Brother and friend supported Freemasonry across two Provinces for a total 32 years in Craft and 29 years in Royal Arch Chapter. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carol and family at this very sad time. I shall of course send a condolences card on your behalf and also the Provincial Executive and Brethren.
Requiescat in pace
Yours sincerely and fraternally
Mike Fitz-Gerald – Provincial Grand Almoner