M.W. Thomas McKenzie 1916

Thomas McKenzie

Brother Thomas McKenzie was born in Providence, R. I., sixty-one years ago. His early childhood was spent with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. John McCulloch, in Providence and later in Westerly. Educated in the public schools of these two places he learned the moulder's trade under the direction of his uncle. Returning to Providence he became associated with Samuel M. Gray, the famous city engineer of that city. Work with Mr. Gray and study in night schools prepared him for his eminent career as an engineer. Coming to Westerly as assistant to Mr. Gray in the reorganization of the water works, he remained as superintendent from 1897 to the present year.

The Masonic record of Brother McKenzie stands out as an example of leadership and service:

Raised in Pawcatuck Lodge, No. 90, A. F. & A. M., Pawcatuck, Connecticut, November 20, 1890.
Worshipful Master, Pawcatuck Lodge, 1901 and 1902.
Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut, 1916.
Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire near Connecticut.
Made Honorary Member of Franklin Lodge, No. 20, F. & A. M., Westerly, R. 1., April 27, 1920.
Exalted in Palmer Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M., Pawcatuck, Conn., October 2, 1897.
Excellent High Priest, 1900.
Secretary April 1, 1907, to April 27, 1920-thirteen years.    
Representative Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania near Conn.
Greeted in Mystic Council, No. 29, R. & S. M., Mystic, Conn., May 2, 1916.
Knighted in Narragansett Commandery, No. 27, K. T., Westerly, R. 1., December 12, 1898.
Eminent Commander, 1904 and 1905.
Acting Recorder, 1919-1920.
Prelate, 1905 to 1929-twenty-four years. Board of Trustees to 1930.
Representative Grand Commandery of Arizona near Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Received the thirty-second Grade of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Connecticut
Consistory, Norwich, Conn., May 2, 1908.
King Solomon Lodge of Perfection.
Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem. Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix.
Ennobled in Palestine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Providence, R. I. June 25, 1903.
Member of Deborah Chapter, No.9, O. E. S., Westerly, R. 1., December 5, 1908.
Worthy Patron 1910 and 1911.
Paster Masters' Association of the Eighth Masonic District of Connecticut; President, 1912.
Anointed High Priests' Convention, Hartford, Conn.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island Association of Knights Templar Commanders, Boston,
Massachusetts.
Westerly Square and Compass Club, No. 176, National League Masonic Clubs.
Advisor Westerly Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
President Board of Managers, Masonic Home, Wallingford, Conn., 1925-1929.
President The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut.
State Chairman Connecticut George Washington National Masonic Memorial Association.

Prayers were held at his late home at 2 o'clock on July 27, and the body was then escorted to Christ Episcopal Church, of which he was a warden, by a large delegation from Narragansett Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar, and Franklin Lodge, No. 20, of Rhode Island; Pawcatuck Lodge, No. 90, and the M. W. Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Here the Church services were held under the direction of Rev. G. Edgar Tobin and Rev. William F. Williams, and in the presence of a host of friends who had come to admire and respect the deceased during his long and successful career as a public official and in his life as a useful member of the community. The committal services were conducted at River Bend Cemetery by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. The Grand Master was assisted by Past Grand Masters Winthrop Buck and William F. English. The bearers were Past Grand. Masters Andrew J. Hallock, Leonard J. Nickerson, William F. English, Walter T. Arnnold, Arthur N. Nash and Theodore Foster, representing the Grand Lodge; Lewis Stanton, representing the Westerly Water Commission, and Arthur L. Perry representing Christ Church.

He loved the town in which he lived and he loved it enough to work for it. He always gave freely of his talents, with which he was amply endowed. His ability as a public speaker was widely recognized and his services in this way were in constant demand. He was from the first interested in the Westerly Hospital. His advice was particularly valuable at the time of construction because of his scientific training. What he was to his fellow citizens of Westerly he was also to his Masonic brethren. The interests of the Masonic Home at Wallingford were continually in his mind and he spent many hours and days there planning and arranging for the comfort and happiness of those residing there. He regarded his office as President of The Masonic Charity Foundation as a sacred obligation and lived up to it to the impairment of his strength,

His faithful helpmate and wife, whom he met and married in 1896 as Miss Gertrude F. Jones of Bradford, Vermont, entered into rest in the fall of 1928. One son, Julian F, McKenzie, survives him,

Brother Thomas McKenzie's work on this earth has ended. He has gone Home to his Father, to that House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. His memory remains with us; we have loved him, we still love him, and if we follow in his footsteps, we shall all meet him beyond that bourne from which no traveler returns.