W. Bro. Fred died on Thursday 19th November after a long and uncomfortable illness. He was 76. The funeral will take place at Holy Trinity church, Eccleshall at 12.30pm on Tuesday, 1st December 2009 and a reception afterwards at the Masonic Hall, Gaol Square, Stafford.

Fred leaves a daughter, Beverley(Mehentee), to whom he was utterly devoted.

Fred was born in Hanley and was fiercely proud of his Potteries roots. He was educated, and he would not use the word if he did not mean it, at Hanley High School.

He undertook National Service and was stationed near Preston

Fred qualified as a Chartered Surveyor c1958 and was in partnership with Jim Townsend and Vic Renaudon. Fred ran the Stafford and Lichfield offices of Townsend and Renaudon. He was a prominent member of the RICS and became Chairman of the local branch and a member of the Civil Engineering National Working Par of the Institution.

He was a member of Stafford Round Table and later a member of "41 Club". He remained a member of the Old Hanliensian Society

Fred lived in Ranton, near Stafford. He was a churchwarden and a very colourful character in that village.

But it was as a Freemason that Fred most directed his massive energies and a quick glance at any Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire yearbook for the period 1965 to 2009 will immediately reveal the extent of his involvement and commitment. He was a member of Chartley, NS Round Table and Foster Gough Lodges, reaching the Chair in all three. He was equally prominent in Royal Arch in Izaac Walton and Staffs Grand Principals' Chapters. He achieved Grand Rank in 1991 (Craft) and 1992 (Chapter). He served as Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1989

Those close to Fred will attest to the fact that, of all his Masonic achievements, it was his tenure of the offices of Provincial sub Prior in K.T. and, contemporaneously with that office, his period over the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Staffordshire and Shropshire as its Provincial Grand Master that gave him the greatest pleasure. In particular, the Mark 2007 Festival gave him enormous pride.

Fred was a keen member of a host of other Orders including Rose Croix, R&SM, OSM, KTP and Allied Masonic Degrees. He was a prolific founder including Round Table Chapter, Round Table Mark, John o'Gaunt Preceptory and Castra Nova Chapter Rx.

Fred's life was changed completely when he lost his devoted wife, Margaret, nearly three years ago. He never really recovered from the loss.

Fred will be remembered by all who knew him as one who could light up a room with his presence and, with the arching of an eyebrow and the wryest of smiles, could command the affection and respect of all.

[Back to Articles]