In Memory of Departed Merit.
On 12th August, our Visiting Officer and dearly beloved Brother, John Hearn, passed away. At our Lodge meeting in October we remembered him in a special ceremony. Here is the eulogy that W Bro Alan Watkins delivered during that ceremony.
W BRO JOHN HEARN
I first met W Bro John Hearn when he took over from me as Visiting Officer for Aylesbury Lodge in October 2012. He and I subsequently met regularly at Aylesbury and became firm Masonic friends.
W Bro John Hearn was very much a Bucks Mason. He was born on 5th November 1938 and brought up and educated in Wycombe. His early adult life, however, was spent further afield – or, rather, afloat for John served in the Royal Navy and was a Chief Petty Officer on leaving. On returning to civilian life, John was involved in a successful heating business and prospered well.
John was a man of high principles. He was a Justice of the Peace (JP) and sat on the Bench at Wycombe Magistrates for many years until he reached the age when JPs are required to retire. He greatly enjoyed this aspect of his life as he was always a man who liked to do the right thing in life and he expected others to adhere to those principles as well. He similarly served his local community as a Special Constable for a number of years.
John was initiated into Princes Risborough Lodge No 5203 in March 1983. He served twice as Master, in 1994 and 2011. He was a well-respected and truly loyal member to the Lodge, in all giving thirty five years service to the Lodge and Masonry. John was awarded his last promotion in Provincial Rank, to PPGSuptWks, in 2010. He was a Past Principal of the Royal Arch Wycombe Chapter and was made an Honorary Member for services to the Chapter. He held the Provincial Grand Chapter Rank of PPGReg.
But it is as VO for Aylesbury Lodge that we remember him tonight. From the start of his appointment it was clear that this was more than just a formal task to him. He attended Lodge meetings regularly, truly fulfilling his role as the link between Province and the Lodge and I can vouch for the fact that that he promoted the Lodge vigorously at all opportunities. John was a straight talker and preferred to sit with the body of members at the festive board rather than at the top table so that he could get the feel of things whilst exchanging views with younger brethren and communicating from his wealth of Masonic and Provincial knowledge. He had a relaxed sense of humour – which often was revealed when referring to the latest Provincial pronouncement!
Latterly John was afflicted by severe ill health which was manifested in the form of extreme breathing difficulty. Nevertheless, he still came to Aylesbury Lodge meetings clutching his portable oxygen apparatus and determined to be present and to fulfil his VO duties to the very end of his life. He died on 12th August 2018. He was married, with one son.
W Bro John Hearn will be a great loss to Aylesbury Lodge as VO and as a truly valued and respected friend of the Lodge. He truly was a worthy man and Mason.
Alan R Watkins PAGDC, PPGW 11 October 2018
W Bro John Hearn was very much a Bucks Mason. He was born on 5th November 1938 and brought up and educated in Wycombe. His early adult life, however, was spent further afield – or, rather, afloat for John served in the Royal Navy and was a Chief Petty Officer on leaving. On returning to civilian life, John was involved in a successful heating business and prospered well.
John was a man of high principles. He was a Justice of the Peace (JP) and sat on the Bench at Wycombe Magistrates for many years until he reached the age when JPs are required to retire. He greatly enjoyed this aspect of his life as he was always a man who liked to do the right thing in life and he expected others to adhere to those principles as well. He similarly served his local community as a Special Constable for a number of years.
John was initiated into Princes Risborough Lodge No 5203 in March 1983. He served twice as Master, in 1994 and 2011. He was a well-respected and truly loyal member to the Lodge, in all giving thirty five years service to the Lodge and Masonry. John was awarded his last promotion in Provincial Rank, to PPGSuptWks, in 2010. He was a Past Principal of the Royal Arch Wycombe Chapter and was made an Honorary Member for services to the Chapter. He held the Provincial Grand Chapter Rank of PPGReg.
But it is as VO for Aylesbury Lodge that we remember him tonight. From the start of his appointment it was clear that this was more than just a formal task to him. He attended Lodge meetings regularly, truly fulfilling his role as the link between Province and the Lodge and I can vouch for the fact that that he promoted the Lodge vigorously at all opportunities. John was a straight talker and preferred to sit with the body of members at the festive board rather than at the top table so that he could get the feel of things whilst exchanging views with younger brethren and communicating from his wealth of Masonic and Provincial knowledge. He had a relaxed sense of humour – which often was revealed when referring to the latest Provincial pronouncement!
Latterly John was afflicted by severe ill health which was manifested in the form of extreme breathing difficulty. Nevertheless, he still came to Aylesbury Lodge meetings clutching his portable oxygen apparatus and determined to be present and to fulfil his VO duties to the very end of his life. He died on 12th August 2018. He was married, with one son.
W Bro John Hearn will be a great loss to Aylesbury Lodge as VO and as a truly valued and respected friend of the Lodge. He truly was a worthy man and Mason.
Alan R Watkins PAGDC, PPGW 11 October 2018
