M.W. William Carl Neu 1972

William Carl Neu 1972

On April 25, 1986, the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe summoned our well loved Brother from this earthly life to the Celestial Lodge Above.

Brother William Carl Neu, Sr., Most Worshipful Past Grand Master (1972), quietly laid down the Working Tools of life, at the age of 78, leaving a long dedicated career of service on Earth, for that Abode where the sterling virtues of his character, the mildness of his demeanor and the purity of his life will receive their Eternal reward.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 28, 1907, the first son of Clara (Maedler) and August Neu; he was the first Most Worshipful Grand Master of Connecticut to be born in Ohio. He attended the Public Schools in Cleveland, supplementing his education with special courses at Cleveland College Law School and the Cleveland Advertising School. Brother Bill left an advertising job he had with the General Electric Company in Cleveland and Bridgeport for Columbia Records of Bridgeport, then for the Capitol Records in New York City, and then in 1957 to the Bullard Company of Bridgeport as Advertising Manager, from where he retired in March 1973. However, he had not been retired but a few weeks when he fulfilled a request from the Board of Managers, Masonic Charity Foundation, Wallingford, Connecticut, to be the Development Director of the Masonic Home and Hospital, a position he held with distinction until his second retirement.

Brother Neu was married to Miss Mildred Taskey on November 28, 1928 and this union was blessed with two children, a son William Carl Neu, Jr., of Mason, Ohio, and a daughter, Carol Neu Petrino of Stratford, Connecticut.

Brother Bill was a Charter Member in 1946 of Grace Lutheran Church, Stratford, his exertions in Church Work always reflected his deep feelings for the Word and the Work of God. He had been a moving force in the Church Council from 1946-1951; was Vice Chairman in 1950 as well as serving as General Chairman of the Building Committee - the year in which a new church was built. Brother Neu had served as Chairman of the Pulpit Committee; helped organize, and was first President of the Grace Lutheran Brotherhood and had served as a Director of the Southbury Lutheran Home for the Aged.

Brother Neu received his first taste of Fraternalism in Cleveland, Ohio when he joined Denbrook Chapter, Order of DeMolay. He commenced his long and colorful career in Ancient Free and Accepted Masons when he was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on October 5, 1948 in St. John's Lodge No.8, Stratford, Connecticut. He had a full, interesting and eventful life in the vineyards of Masonry, culminating in the wearing of the coveted purple Collar and gold Jewel of Grand Master.

This title came to Brother Neu only after years of hard work in his Home Lodge as an active participant in Degrees and the Fellowcraft Association; as a Junior Officer, Worshipful Master, and on behalf of the District. He was initially honored when Most Worshipful Grand Master Paul D. Collier appointed him the first District Deputy from St. John's Lodge No.8 in 1961, in the then 196th year of its Charter. As a Deputy he served in old District I-East 1961-62 and remained for a third year in 1963.

Pyramid Shrine, Eastern Star, etc. In one way or another he had much to do with the founding of Daytime Lodge No. 144, Masonic Lodge of Research, Firemen's Square Club of Connecticut, Past District Deputy Association and others. In each he left his mark As Grand Master, his innovative spirit had found him encouraging those who were putting together the formal Ceremony of the annual District Deputy Presentation. His foresight had resulted in "standing room only", wherever the Ceremonies are presented each year.

From almost the start of Statewide Brotherhood-In-Action in the Grand Jurisdiction of Connecticut, Brother Bill had a strong voice in its management, promotion and success.

In all endeavors of work recognition is usually deserved. Most Worshipful Brother Bill had his share - DeMolay Legion of Honor, Shrine Ambassador, DeMolay Class named after him, along with other titles. He had written several important papers and books for the betterment of the Craft - "Manual for District Deputies", "Officer's Manual", "The Seven Toasts", "From Cradle to the Grave", and the St. Luke's Program. Likewise he had served both as Chairman and as Committeeman on Grand Lodge Committees too numerous to mention, as well as Lodge program and after dinner speaker on a variety of subjects.

No doubt the highlight of his year as Most Worshipful Grand Master was the Emergent Communication of the Grand Lodge on Grand Master's Day, October 7, 1972, when he and his Corps of Officers dedicated the newly built Charles J. Ramage Building at the Masonic Home and Hospital in Wallingford. It was a huge success, in spite of the day-long torrential downpour which might have dampened many-a-garment and facility, but not the spirit and excitement of the more than 3,000 in attendance.

Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother Neu had served as the first Editor of the Connecticut Square and Compasses magazine when it was officially purchased by the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Connecticut, January 1, 1979.

At the Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Connecticut, March 28,1984 held in the Parkview Hilton, Hartford, Connecticut, Brother William C. Neu, Sr., Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, was awarded the Pierpont Edwards Medal in Silver for Eminent Masonic Service. This is the highest award which the Grand Lodge of Connecticut presents to a Brother for his dedication and service to all the principles of Masonry.

Brother Neu is survived by his wife, Mildred Taskey Neu; a son, William C. Neu, Jr.; a daughter, Carol Neu Petrino; three Brothers, Charles, Clarence and George Neu; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several Nieces and Nephews.

St John's Lodge No.8, A.F. & A.M. performed a Masonic Memorial Service, Sunday, April 27 at the Spear, Dennis and D'Arcy Funeral Home, Main Street, Stratford, and services were held on Monday, April 28 at 11:00 A.M in the Grace Lutheran Church with the Reverend C. Wilhelm Benson officiating. Entombment followed in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

He had laid down the Working Tools of life and earned his just reward with the Grand Master of the Universe. Most Worshipful Brother William Carl Neu, Sr., our 126m Most Worshipful Grand Master, passeth from this life, a Brother to whom his Church, family and Masonic affiliations were ever constant responsibilities and actions of love. The lives of all who were associated with Most Worshipful Brother William C. Neu, Sr. were enriched, by having worked with and grown to love him. He lived and practiced all the tenets of Masonry, which formed and dominated the sterling qualities and pattern of his life.