GMPageau

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ROGER WILLIAM PAGEAU 1944-2012

[GMPageau2010.jpg

Deputy Grand Master, 1996
Grand Master, 2008-2010


TERM

2008 2009 2010

BIOGRAPHY

TROWEL, FALL 1996

From TROWEL, Fall 1996, Page 3:

RogerPageau1996.jpg

GENEALOGY - GOLF CLUBS - GRANITE STATE
by Robert W. Williams, III, Consulting Editor

The pace and structure of American society have changed during the past 100 years, but the sense of community established by our forebears has remained strong. One of the questions often asked by a child is, "Where did I come from?" When it comes to family roots, Deputy Grand Master Roger W. Pageau has answers for his family.

The late Alex Haley did much to awaken many Americans about their roots when he wrote his book, Roots, that became more meaningful to this nation when the story was developed into a motion picture. Proof has been given that families began to research or to have somebody do the digging for them. One such researcher has been Brother Pageau who has traced his lineage from America to Canada and back to France. Roger and I both tap the roots of Louis IV of France.

There is a genealogy center in Pawtucket, R. I. that helps Canadian/Americans called the American Canadian Genealogical Association of which he is a member. "It's a lot of fun and satisfaction. But. of course, you have to be patient," he assesses his research.

Some of us like to grab the golf clubs and head for the fairways for the sheer recreation of the sport or to improve on the poor score we posted the last time out. Roger goes us one better. He makes golf clubs as another hobby, minus the frustration golfers get when making a poor shot.

Freemasonry is a meaningful part of his life. "It encompasses many of the principles and ideas which are important to me, including respect for and service to God, my country and my fellow man. There are few organizations where one can experience the friendships I have made and continue to make. I believe we are all fortunate to live in a country that tries to extend to its citizens -freedom, comfort and opportunity, and we must do everything within our capacity to extend those blessings to those less fortunate than ourselves."

When Most Worshipful Arthur E. Johnson advanced from Senior Grand Warden to Grand Master he chose R .W. Roger W. Pageau. the District Deputy Grand Master of the Natick 23rd, to be his Deputy Grand Master. A Past Master of John Warren Lodge of Hopkinton, the town made more famous as the starting point of the annual Boston Marathon, and also a charter member of Rose of Sharon Lodge of Worcester, where he is an associate treasurer and a member of the board of trustees.

His York Rite affiliations are with St. Andrews Chapter, Boston Council and St. Bernard Commandery of Boston. In Scottish Rite he is a member of the Valley of Worcester and Massachusetts Consistory. He is a member of the Shrine Aleppo Temple in Wilmington.

Married to the former Thelma M. Chouinard, the couple has two daughters. Amy is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire where she majors in biochemistry. Gayle is a sophomore and National Honor Society student at Algonquin Regional High School where she is an active member of the cross country team. Mother and dad are attracted to her track meets.

The family home is in Northboro where they are affiliated with the Trinity Church and where Brother Pageau is active in the Central Massachusetts Chapter, American Red Cross. He is a past president and director of the Treasury Management Association of New England and holds membership with New England Historical Genealogical Society.

A native of the Granite State and a 1962 graduate of Littleton High School and 1968 graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he earned his B.S. in business management, he is presently manager, banking and cash management for New England Power Service Company of Westboro. What else attracts this North country family? Skiing, what else, and winter 1996 filled their cup to overflowing.

TROWEL, SPRING 2008

From TROWEL, Spring 2008, Page 3:

RogerPageau2008.jpg

Brother Roger William Pageau of Northborough was installed as the 87th Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, responsible for the fraternal and business aspects of Massachusetts Freemasonry, including the Overlook Masonic Health System.

Raised in Littleton, New Hampshire, where he was born in 1944, the Grand Master graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He retired from a 35-year career with National Grid (Massachusetts Electric) where he served as Treasury Manager; was president of the Treasury Management Association of New England in 1995-96, and served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in 1985-92.

While Bro. Pageau did not have any close relatives who were Masons, a number of men who he knew and admired were Masons. “If these men were Masons, there must be something about the fraternity that attracted good men.” After marrying, the Grand Master discovered that Thelma’s father was a Mason, who shared enough about the fraternity to pique his new son-in-law’s interest — and was proud to be his sponsor.

Bro. Pageau began his Masonic career in 1976 when he joined John Warren Lodge, Hopkinton, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1988. He later joined Rose of Sharon, Dalhousie and The Masters Lodges, but now his attention will focus on Grand Lodge and the entire Masonic jurisdiction.

The Grand Master says “our first priority now and for the foreseeable future has to be membership. This is not new. All of my predecessors have recognized the need to increase our membership. It now appears that we are making some real progress in that area and I want to continue those efforts.”

At the same time, he feels that Masons must strengthen our lodges and Grand Lodge — “strengthen them with our time, our talent and our treasure.”

To Bro. Pageau, “Our time is our most valuable possession, as it is irreplaceable. We need to spend some of that time to help our lodge or Grand Lodge by taking office, serving on a committee or just volunteering to help wherever there is a need. Many of us have special talents that would help our fraternity. Whether it is as a carpenter, painter, lawyer, accountant or just a general worker, your lodge needs your talent.

“We also need your financial help. Many lodges have limited resources and significant needs. Think how much more your lodge or your Grand Lodge could do with a little more money to spend on your building, your membership or your charities. Our brothers have always been generous to support good causes and we certainly have many good causes in Freemasonry.”

The Grand Master has a number of goals for the next three years. “First, I would like us to raise 7,000 new members. That will provide leaders, talented members and financial resources as we move through the twenty-first century.

“Second, I would like to see us strengthen our lodges and reduce the need for mergers. In recent years we have seen the merger or closing of Masonic lodges in a number of communities across the Commonwealth. With an increase in members and a renewed spirit of vitality, we should be able to stop, if not reverse, this trend. Most lodge mergers result from the lack of officers, lack of resources and a general lack of interest. New members will return the enthusiasm and vitality that made our fraternity great.

“Third, I would like to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of Grand Lodge. I view Grand Lodge as a service organization made up of the lodges in our jurisdiction. Most of the voting power of Grand Lodge is held by the Masters and Wardens of our lodges. While Grand Lodge has a supervisory role, its main purpose is to serve the lodges.”

While these are major areas needing improvement, the Grand Master feels there are many other goals that we should set to improve our beloved fraternity, goals that will need to be addressed over the next three years.

Before assuming the East of Grand Lodge, Most Wor. Bro. Pageau served as District Deputy Grand Master (1994-95) and Deputy Grand Master (1996). He was a member of the Grand Lodge Board of Directors (1999–2003) and served as Grand Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer from 2004 until he assumed the position of Grand Master.

A member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Worcester, Bro. Pageau served as Most Wise Master of Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix, and received his 33° in 2002. He also belongs to Saint Andrew’s Royal Arch Chapter, Boston Council, and Saint Bernard Commandery #12 of the York Rite, and is a member of Aleppo Shrine in Wilmington.

Most Wor. Bro. Pageau and his wife, Thelma, have two daughters, Mrs. Amy M. Seitz of Grafton, and Dr. Gayle G. Pageau, Ph.D. of Worcester. Bro. Pageau is a member of the United Methodist Church, Westborough.

MEMORIAL

ONLINE OBITUARY, JULY 2012

Posted on the Grand Lodge website, July 29, 2012:

Roger William Pageau of Northborough passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 28th. He leaves a wife, Thelma; two daughers, Mrs. Amy M. Seitz of Grafton, and Dr. Gayle G. Pageau, Ph.D. of Worcester, and a granddaughter. He was the 86th Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, serving between 2007 and 2010.

Details concerning arrangements have not been released.

Raised in Littleton, NH and educated in the Littleton Public School system, Pageau graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. In 2003 he retired as Treasury Manager for National Grid, Westborough after 35 years of service. Brother Pageau was the Grand Treasurer, or Chief Financial Officer, of the Grand Lodge of Masons between 2003 and his election as Grand Master in 2007.

Pageau was a member of Westborough’s United Methodist Church. His professional affiliations included the Association of Financial Professionals and the Treasury Management Association of New England, for which he was President in 1995-96. He also served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Central Mass from 1985 through 1992.

In 1976 he began his Masonic career by joining John Warren Lodge, Hopkinton. He served as the Worshipful Master, or presiding officer, in 1987-88. Masons use the original definition of “worshipful," meaning “honorable”; English mayors and judges are still addressed as “Worshipful.” As Grand Master, Pageau was called “Most Worshipful.” He was also a member of Rose of Sharon Lodge, Charlton; The Masters Lodge, Needham; and an honorary member of Dalhousie Lodge, Newton.

Most Worshipful Brother Pageau served as a District Deputy Grand Master in 1994-95. The lodges in the Commonwealth are divided into 31 Districts led by a District Deputy who is the Grand Master’s representative there. During that year he was named a Grand Representative for Wisconsin. In 1996 Grand Master Arthur E. Johnson appointed him Deputy Grand Master, the second highest ranking Mason in the state. In that year he was also awarded the Henry Price Medal, the highest honor conferred by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Following the completion of his one-year term, he joined the Grand Lodge Board of Directors, on which he served until assuming the position of Grand Treasurer.

He was active in several Masonic organizations. Brother Pageau was a member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Worcester. Between 1995 and 1997 he led the Chapter of Rose Croix, one of four bodies within Scottish Rite, as Most Wise Master. In 2002, he received his 33° at the Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. About one-third of the country’s 1.5 million Masons become 32° Scottish Rite Masons. Of those, less than 1% receives the 33° recognizing their service to humanity, their communities, or Freemasonry. He belonged to Saint Andrew’s Royal Arch Chapter, Boston Council, and Saint Bernard’s Commandery #12 of the York Rite. He was also a member of Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington, MA.

From the Worcester Telegram, July 29, 2012:

NORTHBOROUGH - Roger W. Pageau, 67, of Northborough, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Hospital after being stricken ill. He was the husband of Thelma (Chouinard) Pageau.

Born in Littleton, NH, he was the son of the late Armand and Arlene (Lemue) Pageau. He was educated in Littleton schools and was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. From 1967 to 1973 he served with the Army National Guard attaining the rank of SP5.

Roger was employed in the finance department at New England Electric for 35 years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Westborough, the John Warren Lodge AF & AM in Hopkinton, the Scottish Rite Body of Worcester and Boston and was the former Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

He was a ham radio operator, enjoyed genealogy and was an avid sports fan, especially the Red Sox, Patriots and UNH Hockey.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Amy M. Seitz and her husband, Matthew, of N. Grafton and Dr. Gayle P. Pouliot and her husband, Jason, of Boston; one grandson, Nolan R. Seitz; two step brothers, Gary Blodgett of Texas and Everett Blodgett of Reading, MA; one aunt, Veronica Marsh of Littleton, NH and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services and calling hours will be held privately. Burial will be in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 350 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01604 or to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 120 West Main St., Westborough, MA 01581.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Britton-Summers Funeral Home, 4 Church St., Westborough.

AT GRAND LODGE, SEPTEMBER 2012

From Proceedings, Page 2012-107, 09/12/2012:

Brother Pageau was born in Littleton, New Hampshire on August 31, 1944, the son of Armen and Arlene Pageau and passed to the Celestial Lodge above at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, in Worcester, Massachusetts on July 28, 2012 at the age of 67 years, 330 days.

He was educated in the Littleton, New Hampshire Public Schools and attended the University of New Hampshire from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.

Roger Pageau married the former Thelma Chouinard and became the father of two daughters, Amy M. (Pageau) Seitz of North Grafton and Dr. Gayle P. (Pageau) Pouliot of Boston. He was the very proud grandfather of Nolan S. Seitz.

He retired in 2003 from National Grid, formerly New England Electric, after 35 years of service and having risen to the position of Treasury Manager. Brother Pageau had many interests and hobbies, among them: Ham Radio operator wherein he enjoyed talking to many Masons and friends around the world. He also enjoyed working on the genealogy of his family tracing some roots back to France. He was an avid Boston sports fan and an ardent follower of the University of New Hampshire Hockey Team. His expert skill and craftsmanship in making custom fishing rods and golf clubs were well known among many of the Brethren.

The Masonic career of Most Worshipful Brother Pageau spread over some 36 years beginning in John Warren Lodge in Hopkinton, Massachusetts where he took his degrees, being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, March 9, 1976, and became Master of John Warren Lodge in 1987. He served our Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master of the Natick 23rd Masonic District in 1994 and 1995, under the leadership of M.W. David W. Lovering. He was appointed Deputy Grand Master for the year 1996 by M.W. Arthur E. Johnson thus becoming a Permanent Member of Grand Lodge, and in the same year he was awarded the Henry Price Medal.

He served as the Grand Treasurer from 2003 to 2007 and was elected Grand Master at the December Quarterly in 2007 serving as Grand Master in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as the 86th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

Brother Pageau was an affiliated and honorary member of several Lodges. He was also a member of all York Rite Bodies, serving as the Treasurer of Saint Bernard Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar; a member of Aleppo Shrine, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Wilmington. Also a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, a member of Massachusetts College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, he was serving as the Chief Adept IX at the time of his passing. Brother Pageau was a member of all the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Worcester where he served as Most Wise Master of Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix and was also a member of Massachusetts Consistory in the Valley of Boston. He was coroneted an Honorary 33° Member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America on September 2, 2002.

Brother Pageau will be remembered for his support of the many programs of our Grand Lodge, such as the Grand Lodge Scholarship Program, the Masonic Leadership Institute, the continuation of the Membership Program, his commitment to the Masonic Health System and its various endeavors as well as his service on many Grand Lodge Boards as well as the Masonic Education and Charity Trust and his devotion to youth. Brother Pageau was instrumental in the Grand Lodge providing financial support for the startup and continuing operation of the Worcester Scottish Rite Learning Center. He was also instrumental in developing a program to reinvigorate Massachusetts DeMolay which has resulted in the establishment of new Chapters as well as the reinstitution of older Chapters which had gone silent, all resulting in a dramatic increase in membership.

My Brother, we are ever grateful for your tireless service and devotion to our Grand Lodge, your always cheerful manner and your willingness to listen to and help your Brethren.

“May our Heavenly Father bless you and have you in his keeping in the Celestial Lodge above."

M.W. Edgar W. Darling
M.W. Arthur E. Johnson
M.W. Donald G. Hicks, Jr.
M.W. Jeffrey B. Hodgdon
M.W. Richard J. Stewart, Grand Master
M.W. Albert T. Ames, Chairman

TROWEL, FALL 2012

From TROWEL, Fall 2012, Page 12:

Nice! Great! Fair! Friend! Leader! That is how those who knew him described Past Grand Master Roger William Pageau.

Bro. Pageau, the 86th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, died suddenly on July 28. He served as Grand Master from 2008–2010.

“He was the everyman,” said Rt. Wor. William R. Currier, assistant to the Grand Master. “He met everyone on the level.” Currier also described Bro. Pageau as a modest man. “About a year into the job he said, ‘I have no idea why I’m here.’” Currier said he replied by telling him he was doing an excellent job.

During his three years as Grand Master, Bro. Pageau made four significant changes to the way lodges do business. These changes permit lodges to elect multiple candidates with a single ballot, change the way lodges that merge can pick a new name, require lodges to perform the three degrees at least once each year, and require lodges to get a dispensation from the Grand Master before using degree teams.

For the four years before Bro. Pageau was elected Grand Master, he served as the grand treasurer. “He was low key, a great guy to work for,” said Assistant Grand Treasurer Rt. Wor. Craig S. MacPherson. At the end of the day, he and Bro. Pageau would sit in the office and talk about everything— things happening in the Grand Treasurer’s Office and most anything else. He said he missed those conversations when Bro. Pageau moved on to become Grand Master.

The regard for Bro. Pageau and the sense of friendship did not end at the Massachusetts state line. It carried north of the border. “He was always open to new ideas and was open to discussing new approaches,” said Most Wor. C. Wayne Libby, the Grand Master of New Hampshire during Grand Master Pageau’s last two years in office. “It was nice to have someone to talk to who was going through the same things you were going through.”

Bro. Pageau served as district deputy grand master in 1994–1995. Serving with him as his district deputy grand secretary was Wor. John A. Smith, who had served as master of John Warren Lodge in Hopkinton in 1985. Bro. Pageau was master of John Warren in 1988. “Roger had the unique ability to get along with everybody, Smith said. “He was just a likeable guy. He got along with everyone. If there was a situation brewing, he had the ability to calm everyone and help work out a solution.”

In addition to serving his friend as district deputy grand secretary, Smith joined him at Grand Lodge. When Bro. Pageau was named Deputy Grand Master, Smith was appointed grand standard bearer and accompanied the Deputy Grand Master on his visits and served as his marshal. “He was more than a brother Mason,” Smith said. He was a friend.” Their friendship was born at John Warren Lodge. When Wor. Bro. Smith was in the East, Bro. Pageau was his junior deacon. A few years ago, there were signs the friendship was as strong as ever. Smith now lives in Maine and when he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Bro. Pageau was there. And he was Grand Master at the time.

Wor. John Knowles echoed much of what Wor. Bro. Smith said. Knowles served in the East of John Warren Lodge in 1993, five years after Bro. Pageau. While the two were not officers together, they were friends. “He was very fair,” Knowles said. “He was a man you could follow.” Wor. Bro. Knowles, however, didn’t see Brother Roger Pageau as someone who was like other Masons, like other men. “He was more than a regular guy.”

SPEECHES

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1995

From Proceedings, Page 1995-385:

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Distinguished Guests and Brethren All:

This has been a super day! We have installed a new Grand Master and are preparing for a new year. As we approach the end of 1995, this seems like a good time to reflect on the soon-to-be-past year and think about the next year. Nineteen hundred ninety-five was a good year for Freemasonry in Massachusetts.At the March Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, we saw the recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Visitations will strengthen the ties between the bodies and Freemasonry. We also saw over 300 Masons parade through the streets of Boston on their way to reenact the dedication of the State House. The ceremony was impressive and dignified and served to remind many of the importance of Freemasonry in the history of our state and our country.We saw increased emphasis placed on our membership. M. W. Lovering announced that we could ask potential candidates about their interest in joining Freemasonry. An experimental radio campaign in the Fall River-New Bedford and Springfield areas has produced interest and calls from potential candidates. The Grand Lodge Masonic Awareness Committee is being revitalized. A special two-day class raised more than 40 candidates for Republican Lodge. Grand Lodge assumed the responsibility for candidate instruction, freeing the Lodges of Instruction to focus on the educational needs of the members in the areas which they serve. Our first Grand Lodge scholarships were granted to sons and daughters of Massachusetts Masons, demonstrating our belief in education, which promotes freedom, tolerance and understanding among men. Long-range planning committees are operating at Grand Lodge and the collateral bodies and are seeking solutions to common problems.

Change can be unsettling, but I am convinced, my Brothers, that Freemasonry in Massachusetts is on the threshold of a new era. I am convinced that we will again see our numbers on the increase. Some lodges are already experiencing net membership gains. It can be done. But we must all participate to make it happen. While Grand Lodge has an important part to play in providing assistance, guidance, and direction, it is the individual lodge and Brother who must take the initiative in this revitalization. Each of us can play a part. It may be by attending lodge and serving as a lodge officer or on a committee. It may be through a financial contribution to our lodge or one of our charities. It may be by promoting Freemasonry in our communities and encouraging good men to join us. Our actions should be guided by two simple questions, “What more can I do to help my lodge?” and “What more can I do to help Freemasonry?” Our needs are many, and I am sure that we will not find it difficult to obtain the answers to those questions.

Many of us are currently active participants in our lodges and make many contributions to Freemasonry. It may sound like preaching to the choir, but I hope each of us will be inspired by the events which we have seen here today and will return to our lodges with a renewed sense of dedication and purpose. We are Freemasonry, and it is only through our efforts that Freemasonry will remain the greatest fraternity in the world.

Thank you, my Brothers.

NOTES

CHARTERS GRANTED

RULINGS


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