M.W. Irving E. Partridge 1964
Irving E. Partridge
"Behold! How good and how pleasant is it for Brethren to dwell together in unity!" So wrote King David, the Psalmist, in the 133rd Psalm. And, with these words, Freemasonry greets its supplicants as they arrived, untutored and unseeing, within the portals of the Lodge.
The Creator of Life has, in His infinite wisdom, seen fit to end the earthly sojourn of one of His subjects. He has called Irving Emerson Partridge, Jr., home to dwell with Him through Eternity.
Irving entered this life in Holliston, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1897, and for nearly eighty-four years he dwelt in unity with his fellow men - their guide - their servant - their friend.
Irving E. Partridge, Sr., and his wife, Alice Bigelow Partridge, lived in several localities during the formative years of their son. His elementary education was received in the public school system of Winsted and Hartford, Connecticut. He earned the Degree of Bachelor of Science at Trinity College, graduating in 1919 after being elected to Phi Beta Kappa in recognition of his brilliant scholastic record. He was an active participant on the track and football squads, Assistant in the Physical Education Department, and Laboratory Assistant in the Biology Department. Before graduation, he earned the Commission of Captain in the R.O.T.C. During World War I, he served as Battery Commander of Anti-Aircraft Artillery, later serving in the Connecticut National Guard. He retired in 1939 with the rank of Colonel of Infantry.
Irving's life in the business world encompassed forty-four years. His first employment, following graduation was with Case, Lockwood, and Brainard Company of Hartford, where for ten years, he was Assistant to the President. In November, 1929, he joined the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company from which he retired in December, 1963, as Director of Agency Administration.
Those who were privileged to know Irving Partridge were always impressed with his boundless energy, his keen insight into affairs and events, and his broad interests into everything that happened around him. This zest for living and in taking part in activities brought him eminence in many fields of endeavor. He was an active member of the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield which he served as Committee Member, Deacon, and Moderator. In the Town, his civic duties included such diverse jobs as Chairman of the Selective Service Board during World War II; Chairman of the Wethersfield Board of Education; Director of the Connecticut Society for Crippled Children and Adults; and President of the Hartford Rotary Club.
His Masonic life began in St. John's Lodge, No.4, in Hartford, in March, 1923, and continued until his death. Few men have achieved the status which he earned: Worshipful Master; Presiding Officer in each of the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Hartford; Commander-in-Chief of Connecticut Consistory and Connecticut Council of Deliberation; Eminent Commander of Washington Commandery; Active Member of the Supreme Council of the A.A.S.R., 330; and Deputy for the District of Connecticut from 1958 through 1972. In April, 1958, he was appointed to the Grand Lodge line and in April 1964, he reached the pinnacle of his Masonic career when he was installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut.
Honors and awards of all sorts have come to Irving Partridge through the years. Connecticut gave him its Pierpont Edwards Medals in both bronze and silver for Eminent Service. The Masonic Charity Foundation recognized his long and able service with the award of the Luke A. Lockwood Medal. Other Grand Jurisdictions did likewise.
In the poem which was to become a familiar hymn, James Russell Lowell. wrote: "Once to every man and Nation comes the moment to decide---". Who. in a world beset with troubles, that moment came to Irving Partridge many years ago, he made the only decision possible for him to make. In humility and with sincerity of purpose, he dedicated a portion of his life to the service of his Community and his Fellow Man.--- That decision was never changed!
In addition to his interests outside the home, Irving was a proud family man. He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-four years, the former Mary Ann Wannan Brand, at 100 Center Street, Wethersfield, their two sons, Gordon L. and Russell W. Partridge, and several grandchildren.
In the Thirty-Second Degree which he loved so well, there is a line of ritual which says: “It is not within our power to create Constans a Prince of the Royal Secret. He IS a Prince - created by God!” So, after the same manner, we can say it is not within our power to create honors for Irving Partridge. A life of exemplary service has forged, for him, honors far beyond our poor power to bestow.
So Mote He Rest!
