M.W. James M. Desmond Biography 1978
James M. Desmond
James M. Desmond was born in Simsbury on November II, 1924, the seventh of eight children and the youngest of six sons born to Thomas H. and Olive Eddy Desmond. Of the six sons, four became members of the Fraternity, Thomas being Raised by his Father when he was Grand Master in 1939. On November 24, 1948 Jim was joined in marriage to Marjorie I. Warren of Hartford, and they were blessed with a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Antonucci, and a son, James W. Desmond, with seven grandchildren and six great grand children.
Jim's early education was acquired in the Simsbury Public School System, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Hartford in 1964. He later completed a course of study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1971 with straight A's and was granted a Master's Degree in Engineering Science.
His professional career evolved around the design of aircraft components, beginning at the Pratt & Whitney Division of United Technologies Corporation in 1945 and continuing in the Chandler Evans Corporation in West Hartford. His position there involved the design of fuel pumps, controls, and flight control actuators with a specialty of strength analysis.
Family ties and Masonic activities did not keep Brother Desmond from accepting the responsibilities of citizenship or the costs of Discipleship in his chosen Faith. He was ever willing to lend his talents, his time, and his enthusiasm to his Community, his Church, and his Fellowman. He filled positions on the Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Granby and the Youth Center Fund Drive among others in his community. In the South Congregational Church of Granby, he worked as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Clerk of the Church, Deacon, and Chairman of the Pulpit Committee.
James M. Desmond began his Masonic journey in St. Mark's Lodge No. 91 in Granby where he was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on November 29, 1958. He served his Lodge as Master in 1968, 1982, and again in 1997. He was elected Master of Philosophic Lodge of Research for 1977 and celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the Lodge during his term of office.
In addition to his Blue Lodge, Jim became a member of the York Rite: Columbia Chapter No. 31, RAM; Lee Council No. 25, R&SM; and Washington Commandery No.1, KT. He belonged to the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Hartford and Connecticut Consistory in Norwich. He also belonged to Day Star Chapter No. 69, OES in Granby; Sphinx Shriners in Newington; the Philalethes Society; and Quator Coronati Lodge No. 2076 in London, England.
He served on the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture and Public Relations for four years, and for two years was Chairman of the Special Committee to revise the Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations. He was appointed Grand Senior Steward by M.W. Merle Tapley in 1971 and was elected Grand Master in 1978. For the first time in the history of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, a son of a Past Grand Master was elevated to that same honored position.
In 1973, Jim Raised his son to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in St. Mark's Lodge No. 91 in Granby. During his term as Grand Master, he had the unique privilege of having that son, the Reverend James W. Desmond, as his Grand Chaplain.
Brother Desmond passed away February 23, 2007. A Memorial Service and Masonic Service were held Saturday, March 3, at 12 noon at the South Congregational Church in Granby, with the Rev. Mark Diters officiating and Valley Lodge No. 36 AF & A.M. conducting the Masonic Service. Burial was private at the Granby Cemetery.
