M.W. Clarence Osborn Lister 1951

Clarence Osborn Lister

BORN IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT JAN. 16, 1895

DIED IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT JUNE 14, 1971

Connecticut Masonry lost a distinguished and devoted member when Ill. Clarence Osborn Lister, 33° entered the Celestial Lodge above, after a brief confinement at the Bridgeport Hospital.

He was the son of Samuel and Ida Lister of Bridgeport, Connecticut where he attended the public schools after which he graduated from New York University Law School in 1919.

Admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1919, he continually practiced law in Bridgeport for over fifty years specializing in real estate and probate matters. The Connecticut State Bar Association appointed him to serve on various law committees, and in 1958 he was elected President of the Bridgeport Bar Association. His legal talents were not confined to his own practice, as he served several years as prosecuting attorney for the Bridgeport City Court and in later years at the Justice Court in his home town of Easton.

He was married in 1922 to Lela V. Nichols who survives him.

In civic affairs, he was identified with many splendid community groups and his abilities as a leader were evident by the various offices he held over the years in the Civitan Club, the Christian Union, the Red Cross, the Town of Easton Board of Finance, the American Legion and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut recently honored Brother Lister for the many years he served as a lay reader. For 25 years he was the Treasurer of Christ Church Parish in Easton.

A career of dedicated service in Masonry extending over forty years came to a close in the passing of Ill. Brother Clarence O. Lister. Few men can surpass his labors in the vineyard of Masonry. Raised in America Lodge No. 132 in Stratford, Connecticut on March 26, 1927, and later elected Master in 1932, he had been its Trustee for 38 years. In the years that followed he became a member of all York Bodies and served as Eminent Commander of Hamilton Commandery No.5 K. T. of Bridgeport in 1941.

The Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Bridgeport elected him to membership, and for many years he took a dramatic part in the portrayal of various degrees.

He was an active member in many Masonic groups such as Square & Compass Club of Easton, Triangle Guard of Hamilton Commandery, Order of Easton Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem, Pyramid Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. and the Bridgeport Shrine Club, The Twilight Club and The Red Cross of Constantine. In most of these groups he was elected an officer at one time or another.

In 1937 he was appointed a District Deputy for the first Masonic District and served for two years. In 1943 he was appointed to the Grand Lodge Line and was elected Grand Master of Connecticut in 1951. For twenty years he served on various Grand Lodge Committees, and found time to revise the Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations.

His Masonic accomplishments were not only recognized in Connecticut where he received the Pierpont Edwards Medal, but other Grand Jurisdictions honored him with awards such as Massachusetts, Nova Scotia, and Rhode Island.

Not content to retire from Masonry after serving the Craft, as Grand Master, he accepted membership on the Board of Managers of the Masonic Home and Hospital and for 20 years diligently worked to improve this great institution. He retired as vice president of the Board in 1970 and was the first person to be awarded the Luke Lockwood medal for distinguished service to the Home and Hospital. .

It was under his guidance that a new Blue Lodge was constituted in his town of Easton on May 9, 1956, known as Aspetuck No. 142, and he served as Secretary for several years.

He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector's General 33° Honorary Member of The Supreme Council at Boston on September 29, 1954.

It was a clear warm June day as hundreds of friends gathered at Christ Church Episcopal in Easton to pay their last respects to a dear departed Brother, with Reverend Kenneth Kinner officiating.

Interment was private in the Easton Cemetery in Easton, Connecticut, June 17, 1971.