On 24th September, Worshipful Brother Tony Birch passed to the Grand Lodge above.
Morris Hogg gave the eulogy at the last meeting on 27th September.
Tony loved Freemasonry. We often discussed it late into the night during some of his many overnight stays in Chesham.
He loved Masonic companionship, the Brotherly love, our charitable and social activities and last but not least our Masonic ritual.
Tony was an experienced Publican and was the tenant manager until he retired of the Red Lion in Spilsby, Lincolnshire. He left school at 15 and completed a college engineering course. His National Service was in the Rifle Brigade serving in Malaya. On demobilization he worked as an HGV driver. He found time to undertake “the knowledge” and become a London Cabbie for 14 years before embarking on a Pub management career.
Tony was initiated into Cestreham Lodge in March 1997. He was 59 years old. He served in most every Lodge office over the next eight years culminating with him being installed as our Worshipful Master in 2005. He had during this period become an accomplished ritualist and a Lodge stalwart.
On becoming a Master Mason Tony regularly visited local Lincolnshire lodges becoming a joining member of Lumley Lodge in Skegness. Some Cestreham members travelled to Skegness and enjoyed a Lumley Lodge meeting as Tony’s guests.
What is worth highlighting is Tony lived in Spilsby, Lincolnshire which involved a round trip of nearly 300 miles when he attended Cestreham Lodge meetings. I recall at the time Tony was interviewed he was questioned why he did not join a Lincoln masonic Lodge he was adamant that he wanted to join the same Lodge as his Proposer W Bro Colin Conley, fellow London Cabbie who was his lifelong school friend.
He assured the Cestreham interviewing committee that he would always attempt to attend Lodge Officers Nights and our regular meetings. He fulfilled this commitment.
Tony with his wife Janet attended Lodge social functions, Ladies Festival nights and Lodge trips to the Normandy battlefields.
Over the past few years Tonys health deteriorated. Lodge attendance was difficult and the Lodge was pleased to appoint him an Honorary member. He became wheelchair bound. His sight become progressively poor with him being registered blind and he spent the past 18 months in a care home.
Tony was for many years a Corner stone of our Lodge. Dependable, helpful and constantly cheerful.
He will be much missed by his wife Janet, his family and his many friends.
Rest in Peace Brother Tony
The picture is Tony laughing, as he always did, at a Lodge “McGonagall” Night where he played a central role in an evening of much fun and merriment.
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