M.W. John C. Sturges Biography 1981
JOHN CARTER STURGES
135th Most Worshipful Grand Master
October 17, 1915-February 7, 1992
Brother John Carter Sturges was born in Redding. Connecticut on October 17, 1915. to Brother Fred S. and Dell R. (Carson) Sturges. His father was a member of Ark Lodge No. 39. A.F. & A.M., and his mother was an active Member of Floral Chapter No.5, Order of the Eastern Star of Georgetown, Connecticut.
Prior to enrolling for School, the Sturges family moved to Georgetown, and Brother John was educated in the Public Schools of Georgetown and Norwalk, Connecticut. Following graduation from High School, he enrolled and graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, in 1937. He then attended the Law School of William and Mary and completed his Graduate Work in Law and received his Law Degree from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1939.
On May 7, 1944, Brother John Carter Sturges was joined in marriage to Miss Marjorie E. Wight of Bethel, Connecticut. (Incidentally. it was Dr. George E. Wight, the Bride's father, who delivered Baby John in 1915.) This union was blessed with two daughters, Dr. Christine A. Sturges, of Windsor, Colorado and Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bihn of Lansdale. Pennsylvania. Two granddaughters survive, Miss Kimberly Bihn and Miss Amy Bihn.
Brother Sturges was a practicing Attorney in Norwalk and New Canaan for a long period of years. He was employed in Norwalk, Connecticut, until December of 1941, when he enlisted in the United States Army. serving in the Aleutian Islands, until his Honorable Discharge in 1945. Upon his return from Military Service, he reestablished his Law Practice in Norwalk, and in March of 1947, he moved it to New Canaan, Connecticut. On January 28, 1981, Brother John had completed 40 years of practice as an Attorney.
Upon establishing his Business and home in New Canaan, Connecticut, Brother John served his "Home Town" in various capacities including Chairman of the Draft Board for the area comprising the City of Norwalk and the Towns of Wilton. New Canaan. and Darien. He served as Prosecuting Attorney for the Town Court of New Canaan from 1951 to 1957. He had been a member of the New Canaan Fire Company No. I. For many years. Brother John served as an Assistant and Associate Corporation Counsel of the Town of New Canaan; in 1952 he was Commander of Frank C. Godfrey Post No. 12. American Legion in Norwalk. and for several years served as Chairman and Member of the New Canaan Republican Town Committee.
Brother John had served as an Advisory Member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut National Bank Branch in New Canaan.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Canaan and served as a member of its Administrative Board.
Harmony Lodge No. 67. A.F. & A.M., New Canaan, received Brother John's Petition for Masonry February 25. 1957. He was accepted and duly elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry and was Initiated as an Entered Apprentice on April 17, 1957. Brother John was Passed to Degree of Fellowcraft October 16, 1957 and was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason November6, 1957. He commenced his service to Masonry in the Lodge Line as Marshal in 1958. and progressed steadily through the Chairs, serving Harmony Lodge No. 67, A.F. & A.M., as Worshipful Master during the year of 1963.
In 1965, Brother William Campbell. Most Worshipful Grand Master, appointed him Right Worshipful District Deputy for Masonic District I A, and in 1966 he was Reappointed to that Office by Brother William M. Wyman, Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Brother Sturges also had served on the following Grand Lodge Committees: Condition of Masonry-Delinquency and Finance; Masonic Culture and Public Relations; Welfare of Lodges and By-Laws and as Chairman of the Trial Commission. He had been appointed to serve as the first Grand Lodge Judge Advocate in 1970, by the Most Worshipful Brother Carl O. Carlson, Grand Master.
Brother Sturges was appointed to the Grand Lodge Line as Right Worshipful Grand Junior Steward in 1973 by Most Worshipful Brother William F. Saars on the recommendation of Brother William C. Neu, Most Worshipful Past Grand Master. He progressed through the Chairs of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and was Elected and Installed as the 135th Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut at the One Hundred Ninety-Third Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, held April I and 2, A.D. 1981, A.L. 5981, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Brother John also served as a Member of the Board of Managers of the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut from 1972 through 197il.
In addition to his membership in Harmony Lodge No. 67, A.F. & A.M., Most Worshipful Brother Sturges, in search of "further light in Masonry", became a member of the following Masonic Appendant Bodies: Washington Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons of Norwalk:
Washington Council No.6, Royal and Select Masters of Stamford; Clinton Commandery \"0. 3, Knights Templar of Norwalk; Dewitt Clinton Lodge of Perfection: Washington Council Princes of Jerusalem: Pequonnock Chapter Rose Croix and Lafayette Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Associate Member of the Masonic Lodge of Research; York Rite College; Pyramid Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Past District Deputies Association of Connecticut; Acacia Chapter No. 90, Order of the Eastern Star. and was a Representative of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, Australia, Near the Grand Lodge of Connecticut.
Most Worshipful Brother Sturges finally dissolved his Law Practice in New Canaan. and Associated with the Law Firm of Slavitt, Connery and Vardamis of Norwalk. Brother Sturges finally retired from Law Practice and he and his good wife Marjorie moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where they resided until they moved back to the Wells Apartments at our Masonic Home and Hospital, Wallingford, Connecticut.
Most Worshipful Brother John C. Sturges, who had been in failing health for some years, passed from this earthly life to the Celestial Lodge above and into the eternal care of the Grand Master of the Universe, on Friday, February 7, 1992, at the Masonic Home and Hospital. Wallingford. Connecticut. Brother John is survived by his wife, Marjorie: two daughters. Dr. Christine A. Sturges of Windsor, Colorado, and Elizabeth Bihn of Lansdale, Pennsylvania: a Brother Philip S. Sturges of Wilton; two granddaughters, Kimberly Bihn and Amy Bihn. both of Lansdale: several nieces and nephews.
A Masonic Memorial Service was conducted by Officers and Brothers of Harmony Lodge No. 67, A.F. & A.M., on Monday evening, February 10, at 7:00 P.M. in the Flora Hewitt Memorial Chapel at the Masonic Home and Hospital, Wallingford. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, February 11th at 2:00 P.M. at the Yalesville United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Richard Simmons officiating. Burial was at the convenience of the family in Umtawaug Cemetery, Redding, Connecticut.
Most Worshipful Brother John Carter Sturges will be long remembered among his Brothers and many friends as a devoted Husband and Father, as one whose dedication to the Fraternity was unlimited, and as an outstanding Citizen of his Community.
