MAGLABrooks
ADDISON GOTT BROOKS 1883-1947
Senior Grand Warden, 1933
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1947-59:
Born in Gloucester, Mass., August 24, 1885
Died in Boston, February 2, 1947
Right Worshipful Addison G. Brooks was the son of Reuben and Martha A. Lakeman Brooks. His father was fourth in line of men bearing that name, going back to Colonial Days in Sandy Bay (now Rockport, Mass.). His mother was a native of Hallowell, Maine, where the Lakemans had lived for several generations.
Right Worshipful Brother Brooks was a graduate of Gloucester High School (an honor pupil), class of 1902, was graduated from Dartmouth College as a Bachelor of Arts in 1906, with Phi Beta Kappa rank.
He was employed by LePage's Inc. of Gloucester and had been Treasurer and Assistant General Manager for several years.
On October 7, 1908, he was married to Marguerite Ada Eames of Framingham, who survives him with two sons, Laurence F. of Gloucester, and Richard L. of Westport, Connecticut. Two grandchildren, Thomas Reuben and Sara Ross Brooks of Gloucester, and a sister, Mrs. Walter D. Brookings of Alexandria, Virginia, also survive him.
He was active in many fields. A member of Trinity Congregational Church of Gloucester since March 4, 1900, he had served as Moderator from 1918 to 1922, and Treasurer from 1922 to 1925 and had been a member of the Standing Committee since 1938 to the time of his death. He was elected Director of the Cape Ann National Bank in 1923; was a Director of the Service Mutual Liability Insurance Company from 1928 until its liquidation in 1941; was elected a Trustee under the will of Samuel Sawyer in 1936; had been a Director of the Gloucester Electric Company since 1943; and was a member of the Corporation of the Cape Ann Savings Bank.
In civic affairs he was prominent in various capacities, including directorships of the Chamber of Commerce, Gloucester Fishermen's Institute, Chairman of the Gloucester branch of the American Red Cross for several years, and served on a number of Municipal Committees.
His affiliations included the Gloucester Rotary Club, of which he was President in 1941-42; the Gloucester Y.M.C.A., which elected him a Director in 1926 and Vice-President in 1937; The Cape Ann Camera Club, of which he was President in 1938 and 1939. He was Governor of the 196th District of Rotary International in 1943-44, and became a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Y.M.C.A. organization.
"Ad" Brooks, as he was called by all who knew him well, was a fluent speaker, with a gift for gracious phrases and a flair for thought provoking humor. He was in great demand as a public speaker and gave generously of his time and talents. For ten years he taught the rudiments of public speaking to men and women who enrolled in an evening course sponsored by the Gloucester Y.M.C.A. and many have been grateful to him for the boost in self-confidence and ability to stand up and talk before people.
Right Worshipful Brother Brooks was enthusiastic in Freemasonry and held many honors in the Craft. He was raised a Master Mason in The Tyrian Lodge, Gloucester, Massachusetts, on March 31, 1914, and was its Worshipful Master in 1923; District Deputy Grand Master for the Ninth Masonic District by appointment from Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson in 1926-27; Senior Grand Warden in 1933; served on the Grand Lodge Education Committee from 1928; and was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1930. In 1946 he was elected an Honorary Past Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick. He became a member at large of the Board of Masonic Relief in 1932 and served as its clerk from 1938 to 1944, He was elected an Honorary Member of Hykes Memorial Lodge of Tientsin, China, in 1928 and served as its Proxy to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He was awarded a Henry Price Medal in 1933 by Most Worshipful Curtis Chapman. He received all Masonic degrees up to and including the 32nd, being a member of The Tyrian Lodge; William Ferson Royal Arch Chapter; Salem Council, R. & S. M., of Salem; Bethlehem Commandery, Knights Templar; Sutton Lodge of Perfection, Jubilee Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Emmanuel Chapter of Rose Croix and Massachusetts Consistory of Boston; and Aleppo Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Boston. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the North Shore Past Master's Association from 1929-t938, when he became President for one year, and in 1944 again elected Secretary-Treasurer. The Past District Deputies' Association elected him Secretary in 1933-37 and President in 1941-42.
His life was one of wonderful activity and great achievement, end he will be missed and lamented in many circles where his active helpfulness made itself felt. He had learned to exemplify the words of Henry VanDyke:
"Four things a man must learn to do
If he would keep his record true;
Think, without confusion, clearly,
Love his fellowmen sincerely,
Act from honest motives, purely,
Trust in God and Heaven securely."
James Young, Jr., Chairman
Frederic W. Frost
Norman H. Thurston
Committee
