M.W. Wesley R. Gomez Biography 1974
Wesley R. Gomez
* rejoice in birth for only the Father can deliver ... MASON
Rejoicing on Saint Patrick's Day in 1906 in Jersey City, New Jersey, were Emline LeCount and Francis Joseph Gomez on the birth of their son, Wesley Francis, who was to be installed Grand Master of Masons of the State of Connecticut on April 4, 1974.
* schoolhouses are the republican line of fortifications ... MANN
Brother Gomez' younger school days were in New York City and he completed his elementary and high school education with honors from his home in Cornwall Bridge to which his parents had moved in 1919. Furthering his education, he again returned to New York for vocational training and business courses.
* to have and to hold from this day forward .. BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
The charm and amiable characteristics of young Florence Southwell brought a new dimension to Wesley Gomez life and a most happy marriage was initiated on August 10, 1927. To this couple was born three sons and one daughter.
Francis J .... a Lakeville Mortician and Master of Blazing Star Lodge #74 in 1962.
Robert C. ... a Winsted SNET Installation Technician and member of #74.
Frederick T... School Teacher in the West Hartford School District.
Consuelo A… Advertising Executive in Boston.
* multiply your crafts and they shall multiply your blessings ... MASON
Brother Gomez' craftsmanship in sheet metal and allied plumbing and heating systems in 1926 led him into the retail and wholesale field of machinery and machine tools in 1930. As a civilian, he served his country in WW II in a defense factory. In 1949, he entered the U.S. Government and Postal Service, rising to Post Master in Cornwall Bridge in 1954 and is currently completing his second decade as such.
* time friendship is a plant of slow growth ... G. WASHINGTON 1783
The wealth of Brother Gomez' friends was appreciably increased with his membership in Blazing Star Lodge #74 in 1948 and to which he has added membership in concordant bodies over the years. He served his Lodge as Master in 1958, Treasurer since 1967 and on countless Lodge activities and committees.
Appendant body affiliations include:
1955 Ousatonic Chapter #33 RAM. New Milford. High Priest 1959.
1956 Buel Council #20 R. & S. M. Litchfield. T.I.M. 1962.
1960 Clark Commandery #7 Waterbury. 1968 Pyramid Temple AAONMS Bridgeport.
1969 Past District Deputies Association ... Charter Member.
1970 Zem Zem Shrine Club of Litchfield County.
1971 Lafayette Consistory S.P.R.S. Bridgeport.
Since 1970, he has been Grand Representative to the Jurisdiction of New York from Connecticut.
Brother Gomez has inspired many young people to join area Rainbow and DeMolay groups. Nor has he neglected the distaff side as he has served Blazing Star Chapter #59 as Patron for five years where Lady Florence was Secretary for many years. They are currently members of Esther Chapter #72 O.E.S. in Canaan following consolidation from Cornwall and Lakeville.
* and ye are witness of these things ... LUKE 24:45
Observing the need for a well-versed knowledge of Grand Lodge Committee responsibilities, Brother Gomez served single terms on Committees for Delinquency and Finances of Lodges (1965), Address of Grand Master and Reports (1967), Bi-Centennial of the American Revolution (1972) and Medals and Awards (1973). As well as serving double terms on Masonic Culture and Public Relations (1966-67) and Budgets and Appropriations (1972-73), he was also a 5-year committeeman on Monuments and Memorials to Past Grand Masters.
While the foregoing chronicles his official appointments, he was a constant visitor to many other committee meetings to observe their mechanics, methods and responsibilities.
* worthy and well qualified ... MNEMONICS
Brother Gomez' Grand Lodge beginning was as Associate Grand Chaplain of District 2 North in 1962 followed by a rare 3-year term as District Deputy ... 1963-64-65. He was appointed to the Grand Lodge as Grand Junior Steward in 1968 by Grand Master Gail L. Smith. His diligence to duty has resulted in rapid progression culminating in his installation as Grand Master of Connecticut's 41,000 Freemasons.
* ring out the old, ring in the new ... TENNYSON
Chartered in 1812 and Darkened in 1830, Blazing Star was to be reborn in 1900 and meet in the old Temple building until May of 1972. Months of negotiation and restoration, led by Brother Gomez, enabled the Lodge to purchase the old Methodist Meeting House (circa 1790) with the Church Annex (1850) and on May 27, 1972 the new Temple was dedicated with over 200 present. As a lifetime Methodist and President of the Board of Trustees from 1959 to 1970, Brother Gomez was instrumental in perpetuating a House, dedicated to God, co-extending to Freemasonry.
* a mystic tie of brotherhood makes all men one . . . CARLYLE
Brother Gomez' personal knowledge of serious illness is plainly visible by his inexhaustible supply of affection, understanding and sympathy for those in need, for the lonely and ill and for those in want of spiritual uplift. His many visits to area afflicted Brothers and families as well as to the Guests in Wallingford accentuate his natural human kindness.
* we have here other fish to fry ... RABELAIS
Although the question arises as to whether the fish to fry were caught by Brother Gomez or a companion, he nevertheless follows his love of out of doors by being an avid fisherman .. , a member of the Housatonic Fisherman's Association ... and on occasion as a hunter, .. as well as his hobby as philatelist.
* what manner of man have we elected? . . . MASON
Perhaps the world has lost a Man of the Cloth or a Man of Medicine or a man of unbound knowledge of Cod and "-Ian but most certainly Freemasonry has gained a most capable leader in Brother Gomez. This Grand Lodge Jurisdiction will find in him a talented executive, of keen business; acumen and a genuine lover of Masonry and Mankind.
Those present at the Grand Lodge Annual of 1974 may rest assured that they have elected in WESLEY FRANCIS GOMEZ a Grand Master who will rank high amongst the finest in Connecticut's Grand Lodge History.
Brother Gomez was called to the Celestial lodge August 30, 1975.
