GMBooth
THOMAS A. BOOTH
Deputy Grand Master, 1961
Grand Master, 1966-1968
TERM
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1986-72:
Most Worshipful Thomas Arnold Booth was born in New Bedford, on August 14, 1902, the son of John and Nancy (Parkinson) Booth.
Most Worshipful Brother Booth was a 1920 graduate of New Bedford High School and attended night courses at the New Bedford Vocational School as well as Herricks Institute and Swains School of Design. He also took extension courses at Brown University and the University of Massachusetts. He was employed as a production manager for Revere Copper and Brass Inc., and had served that organization for 47 1/2 years prior to his retirement.
He was a member, and former Deacon, of the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
He was' a member of Eureka Lodge, being raised in 1924 at New Bedford and was Worshipful Master in 1934; Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts in 1961 and served the Craft as Most worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge from 1966 to 1968. He later served as a Director of the Grand Lodge from 1969 to 1986. He was a Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of England near this Grand Lodge and an honorary member of eight other Masonic lodges as well as the Grand Lodge of chile. He was the recipient of the Henry price Medal and the 50 Year Veteran's Medal of our Grand Lodge.
In the York Rite, Brother Booth was exalted in Adoniram Chapter, New Bedford, March 2, 1927 and served his chapter as High priest in 1939-1940. He received the order of High Priesthood in 1956 and was the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Oregon near the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. In our Grand Chapter he had served as District Deputy Grand High priest in 1960-1961 and as Deputy Grand High Priest in 1964. He was the recipient of the Paul Revere Medal. He was greeted in New Bedford council of Royal and select Masters on May 7, 1929 and served that council as Illustrious Master in 1946-1947 and served the Grand Council of Massachusetts as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1948. He was the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of South Carolina. He was knighted in Sutton Commandery No. 16, New Bedford on March 5, 1936 and served as Eminent commander in 194o-1941. He served the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as Grand Commander in 1956-1957 and was the Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Minnesota.
Most worshipful Brother Booth was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Fall River, having joined in 1946 and a member of Massachusetts Consistory as well as holding plural membership in Old Colony Consistory. He received the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite in 1957.
Most Worshipful Brother Booth also held membership in many other affiliated Bodies, including the Red Cross of Constantine; Knight York Cross of Honor; Royal Order of Scotland; Societas Rosicruciana; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; The Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees; Knight Masons, Grand College of Rites; Gifford Chapter No. 105, Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron in 1935; White Shrine of Jerusalem and Palestine Shrine No. 9 of New Bedford as well as Aleppo Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. He also served for many years as a member of the Grand Lodge Board of Relief and more recently as a member of the Board of Managers of our Masonic Home. He was an Honorary Member of the Legion of Honor of the Order of DeMolay.
On September 13, 1930 Brother Booth was united in marriage to Katherine Crawford Fleming at Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Mrs. Booth preceded him in death. One daughter, Nancy Anne Kocher of Lexington, survives as well as two grandchildren, Thomas D. Kocher of Boulder, Colorado and Sara Louise Kocher of Lexington. Also surviving are two sisters, Nellie Zawalski, of New Bedford and Dorothy Howland of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully submitted,
Stanley F. Maxwell
Charles E. Katsanos
Harvey Crook, Jr.
Committee
NOTES
CHARTERS GRANTED
- 12/27/1966: Caribbean Naval, Guantánamo, Cuba
RULINGS
