It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of our honorary brother, Bro. Russell Spooner PPGSt who died peacefully in hospital on Sunday 23rd February 2014, aged 91 years.
Service and cremation will be held in the Saltwell Crematorium, Saltwell Road, Gateshead on Monday 3rd March at 1.00 p.m., followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church at 1:45 p.m. All welcome afterwards for refreshments in the church hall. The Brethren of Lodge Temperance 2557 are asked to attend if their situation allows.
Russell was our longest serving member and in December reached the momentous milestone of 50 years in Freemasonry but, sadly, due to failing health we were unable to present Russell with his 50 year certificate. He was proposed by Bro. G. R. Neat and seconded by Bro. Jonathan Wright then initiated into the Mysteries and Privileges of Ancient Freemasonry at the Lodge Temperance 2557 meeting held on Tuesday 17th December 1963, passed to the fellowcraft degree on 21st April 1964 and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 15th September 1964. He was an active member of the Lodge and sat on the Finance and General Purpose Committee for many years. Throughout his Masonic career Russell was a guiding light to many new masons giving them the benefit of his Masonic experiences and knowledge. More recently, due to illness, he was unable to attend the lodge on a regular basis.
He will be sorely missed by us all and our heartfelt sympathies are extended to his family.
Russell was one of life’s genuine gentleman a man who lived by masonic principles. My condolences to his family.