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