GMKeith
ROGER KEITH 1888-1968
Deputy Grand Master, 1946
Grand Master, 1948-1950
TERM
NOTES
MEMORIAL
In the Proceedings, 06/12/1968, Page 1968-80ff.
Most Worshipful Brother Keith wis born May 8, 1988 in New York City and died suddenly in Brockton, Massachuserts, May 2, 1968 leaving a widow, Carolyn Hastings Keith, three sons, Roger, Jr., Hastings and Mark, one daughter, Mrs. Thalia May, twenty grandchildren and one great grandchhild. One son, Paul, predeceased him in 1961.
His funeral in the South Congregational Church, of which he had been a member and officer for more than half a century, constituted perhaps the widest spectrum of public respect and honor ever paid to, and deserved by, any citizen of Brockton. Delegations from the office of the Governor, the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, the County, City and numerous civic and business organizations reflected the wide range of his public and Masonic service.
He graduated from Amherst College in 1911 and was a very loyal and active alumnus. After twelve years in the textile manufacturing world he entered the general insurance business in Brockton in 1923 where he had headed the firm of Roger Keith and Sons ever since.
He was Master of Saint George Lodge in 1934 and 1935, District Deputy of the 29th District in 1939 and 1940, Deputy Grand Master in 1946, and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1948, 1949 and 1950. He had been a Director of the Grand Lodge since 1951, and a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust since 1961. He was a member of all the York Rite Bodies and Commander of Bay State Commandery in 1924. In the Scottish Rite he belonged to all of rhe Boston Bodies and received the Honorary 33° in 1949. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association of Alexandria, Virginia, honored him by electing him a Director and member of the Executive Committee. He held Honorary Membership in, or received Honorary medals from, many other jurisdictions and took special pride in wearing the Medallion of the United Grand Lodge of England indicating that he was its representative at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
For many years he was actively interested in politics. He had been a member of the City Council of Brockton four years, President of the Council in 1919 and 1920, and Mayor in 1921 and 1922, a Member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1929 to 1932, and a delegate to or had attended every Republican National Convention since 1924. His election as Grand Master made it necessary to abandon his plans to seek election to the Governor's Council.
His wide range of business interests included the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Savings Bank of Brockton, Directorships in the Abington Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Brockton Edison Company, and many other business organizations.
He was also a Trustee of the Brockton Hospital which he served as President in 1944-1945 and he held membership in the Brockton Kiwanis Club which he had served as President, the Boston Athenaeum, Bostonian Society, Newcomen Society, New England Historical Genealogical Society, Union Club of Boston and many other clubs and social organizations. For a number of years prior to his death, he had been an eager traveler and found increasing joy and pleasure in his frequent visits to London.
The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of Grand Lodge as a tribute to his Masonic service:
Resolved: That we express our sense of loss today in the absence of M.W. Roger Keith. For nineteen years he had been a member of this Board: for three years as Grand Master, and since then as a regularly elected member. He was present at our last meeting, and his sudden death has left us shocked and saddened. He brought a keen and responsible interest in all of the business of the Grand Lodge. His professional interest in insurance enabled him to make an invaluable contribution to much of the business of the Board. His friendliness and jovial manner won men to him instinctively, and we shall not look upon his like again. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Carolyn, and to the members of his family.
This morning the Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust adopted the following resolution:
Resolved: That we record our deep sense of gratitude for the outstanding services of M.W. Roger Keith as President of the Board of Trustees during the three years he served as Grand Master and as a Trustee since 1961 when he was elected to the Board of Trustees upon the death of M.W. Claude L. Allen. Faithful in his attendance at Board meetings, conscientious in the performance of his duties, conservative in his investment policies and strict in his interpretation of his fiduciary responsibilities, his jovial presence and the stimulating influence of his counsel will be sorely missed. We share with his family the loss occasioned by his sudden departure from our midst and express to them our heartfelt sympathy.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Earl Perry
Thomas S. Roy
Whitfield W. Johnson
Committee
CHARTERS GRANTED
- 09/13/1950 Wamsutta, New Bedford
- 12/13/1950 Zerubbabel, Dorchester
RULINGS
