W Bro. Colin Hodge L.G.R.
Passed to the Grand Lodge Above 29 December 2008
The following was read in open Lodge by W. Bro J. Livings, 11 January 2009
"Brethren,
The Lodge has suffered a devastating loss, in the passing of our dear Brother Colin to the Grand Lodge above on 29 December 2008 after a short illness.
During his spell in hospital, he was concerned that he hadn't finalised the arrangements for our next visit to Freemasons' Hall, and our Worshipful Master's Ladies Night. But such was the depth of his character, that despite being in agony, on being told that the cost of the operation on his spine was £4,600.00, he asked "Is that including VAT?"
Colin was initiated in Catenarian Lodge, but left in good standing on a point of principle; not surprising, as he was a very principled man, and particularly supportive of W.Bro Stan Robinson's term as Master of this Lodge.
I'm sure that Colin would have become a Freemason earlier than he did, but unfortunately, someone told him that he looked a bit like David Soul in Starsky & Hutch...consequently, he didn't own a suit and couldn't join before he bought one.
I first met Colin at work over 20 years ago, and we straight away became very good friends. I was impressed by his dignity, compassion, honesty and decency - old fashioned values, and some even older jokes.
After 8 years of nagging, he finally gave in and proposed me in to the Lodge. He often made the point that he wasn't being difficult in preventing me joining before; he wanted me to know that up until then, I wasn't ready - and he was right. And he still might be. But as was Colin's nature, he wanted to make sure that he hadn't caused any offence.
He was hugely supportive during the early years of my membership, even to the point of co-founding an additional Lodge of Instruction at the Fleetwood Pub, providing extra tuition, lunchtimes and evenings, for Masons working in the City.
He became Master of Five Orders Lodge in 1998, and unusually, served as Master for 2 consecutive years. He was awarded London Grand Rank in 2006, and was further distinguished with an acting office in the Royal Arch in Surrey in 2008.
In matters of charity his generosity was boundless. He scarcely missed an opportunity to make a donation to the Relief Chest, and would apologise if he couldn't afford to, which, as Charity Steward, I can tell you is something highly unusual. He was truly one whose heart was expanded by benevolence.
Brethren, I would be grateful if you would please rise, and observe a few moment's silence, for a remarkable Man, and an outstanding Mason, who lived respected, and died regretted.
W Bro. Stan Robinson
Passed to the Grand Lodge Above 3 January 2007
The following was read in open Lodge by W. Bro C. Wild, 13 January 2007
"Brethren,
The Lodge has suffered a very sad loss. W Bro Stan Robinson died on 3 January 2007 after having suffered a period of rather severe illness. Brother Stanley was approximately in the middle 80's. I do not know how old, exactly, he was. But I understand that he served in the last war in the R.A.F.
Brother Stan was sponsored by W Bro Freddie Freeman, and initiated him into this Lodge November 1958. At that time and for a considerable time after, the Lodge had a very large membership and progress was slow, but Stanley was content, he progressed through the junior offices to I think Inner Guard, then dropped out of offices because, due to his business as an Exhibition Contractor, he was travelling around the country and was unable to work at his Masonry.
Nevertheless, he attended the Lodge regularly and attended to his obligations to the Lodge. Indeed, I know, that he paid the subscription of one Brother who was a pensioner (we had a couple of Brethren on very low income who we assisted in this way), and he became a "permanent Steward".
Around 1962 or 1963, the Lodge was so large that it was decided to have a daughter, and so the Architrave Lodge no. 8065 was born, and Stan became a Founder; he was a regular supporter of his new Lodge and again did some junior offices, and was content to serve the Brethren as Steward.
In 2000 Stan was installed Master of the Five Orders and after his year of Office, he served his one year as IPM. He started to suffer ill health, and he attended the Lodges, both Five Orders and Architrave, whenever he could. He continued on full membership of this Lodge, but in 2003 he was elected as an honorary member of the Architrave Lodge and 2004 he was elected as an honorary member of the Five Orders Lodge.
Brethren, for me it was always a joy to see Stan and be greeted by his "'Allo then, how's my young man?", a greeting which I received for many a year.
He was by all standards a lovely and dedicated mason, and I am more than grateful for having had the opportunity to have shared time with him."
"Nature had stamped upon his mien a smile
That marked his mind insensible of guile
And industry that marks the better man
He gained respect beyond what titles can."
