Pages

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

The death of a Brother

Yesterday I received some terrible news; the Brother who Seconded my Initiation into Freemasonry had died after a short illness.

Over the years, he became a very good friend to me. He was someone I could always rely on for good advice when I needed it, and support when things weren’t going well. He was a thoroughly decent, honest, and honourable man who typified the best sort of Freemason one could hope to meet. His death has hit me in a way that is difficult to describe because he was very much my Brother in The Craft.

We have a saying in Freemasonry that we should live a life where we are respected whilst alive and our deaths should be regretted. In the case of this Brother, that is very, very true.

I will be going offline for a few days whilst I come to terms with my friend's death.

42 comments:

  1. My sincere condolences for you loss Bob:(.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      Many thanks for your condolences. His loss has hit his family and friends very hard.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. BOB,
    Our thoughts are with you concerning the passing of your Friend. Over the past four years I've lost six of my Mates- I think of them most days and remember them well. Regards. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      Thanks for your kind words.

      This is the second time I’ve lost such a good friend who was also a Masonic Brother from my Mother Lodge. Both were so full of life, and were taken from us far too soon.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Very sorry to hear of your loss. He sounds the very best sort of friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur1815 (Arthur),

      Thank you for your condolences.

      He was exactly as you described him; the very best sort of friend you could ever wish to have.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. Dan Foley,

      Many thanks for your condolences.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Hi Bob,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    Scott

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scott,

      Many thanks for your kind words.

      He was a great Brother in Masonry, and always willing to do his best for everyone. We shall all miss him.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Mark Cordone,

      Thank you very much for your words of condolence. They are much appreciated.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. Sorry to hear of your loss Bob, I'm sure your fellow Freemasons feel the loss too. I hope you find comfort and support in each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Pavone,

      Many thanks for your kind words.

      Our Lodge has its own WhatsApp group, and we have been using it extensively to support each other and to collect memories for his family.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Hi Bob

    Sorry for your loss

    Stay strong

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan Leniston (Paul),

      Thanks very much for your kind words of support.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. My sincerest condolences to you Bob…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aly Morrison (Aly),

      Many thanks for your kind words.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your good friend. May God rest his soul.

    Wishing his family and friends solace in these sad times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donjondo,

      We are doing everything we can to help and support his family. Thank you for your condolences.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  12. I'm sorry to hear. May your memories be sweet ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer,

      Thank you for your kind words. He was a wonderful man, and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Fitz-Badger,

      I will pass on your condolences to his family and his other friends.

      Many Thanks,

      Bob

      Delete
  14. The GLA always summons the best of us too soon. My condolences to you, his family and his brethren.

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike C (Mike),

      I have often heard that said ... and in this case it is very true.

      Many thanks for your condolences, which I will pass on.

      S&F

      Bob

      Delete
  15. (I can't figure out how to send this privately. So.) Hold tight to your Memories of your Brother & Friend & Mentor. Celebrate that. Every single day.

    Last weekend I received a text message from one of my Brother's phone ~ sent by his Sister. To tell me the news of his sudden Death; and, understandably, to ask us to please not reply to that particular number.

    We hadn't talked or messaged in a couple weeks and I was worried about him. I was literally planning to call him the very next day. I waited too long.

    I think that the best we can do is to Celebrate each one that touches us and do our best to, as is now said, pay it forward. We Owe them that.

    ~ Tom T.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ~ Tom T,

      Thank you for sharing your story and your kind words. I am very lucky in that my last memories of my friend and Brother were of sharing a laugh and a joke with him, and we were texting each other right up until the day before he died. In fact we were sharing thoughts about how boring it can be in hospital when you are not allowed any visitors and you have to spend your days and nights connected up to bits of machinery.

      His was a life well worth celebrating, and I know that his many friends and his family will celebrate it when the time comes, and remember him for the rest of their lives.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  16. My condolences Bob, he sounds to a been a terrific friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tradgardmastare,

      Many thanks for your kind words. He was the best sort of person one could wish to have as a friend.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  17. All my best wishes to you, Bob, at a time like this.
    Regards
    Ion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo (Ion),

      Cheers! I’m gradually coming to terms with his death … but it is going to take time.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  18. Very sorry for your loss, Bob. There is nothing in the world as valuable as a true friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prufrock,

      Many thanks for you kinds and very true words.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  19. So sorry to hear that - my commiserations to you, his family and all of his other friends

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ian Dury,

      Many thanks for your condolences, which I shall pass on.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  20. Deepest sympathy on the loss of your friend and brother.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed M,

      Thank you for your very kind and supportive message.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  21. Sorry to hear of your loss Bob
    In fact it sounds as if we have all lost a good soul
    Wishing you all the best

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      Many thanks for you kind words. He was a great mate, and I will miss him.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

Thank you for leaving a comment. Please note that any comments that are spam or contain phishing messages or that come from Google Accounts that are 'Unknown' will be deleted.