GMStewart
RICHARD JAMES STEWART 1943-
Junior Grand Deacon, 1982
Deputy Grand Master, 1991
Grand Master, 2011-2013
TERM
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Burlington, VT, Stewart was raised in Worcester and educated in the Worcester Public School system. He graduated from North High School in 1961. In 1963 he was hired by Charles P. Lauman Co., Inc. in Westborough as a salesman. He purchased the company in 1975 and currently serves as the Chairman and Treasurer. It is an ISO 9002 certified company. In 1972 Stewart completed 10 years of service to the United States Coast Guard Reserves. He left as a First Class Damage Controlman.
In 1966 he began his Masonic career by joining Athelstan Lodge (now Guiding Lights Lodge), Worcester. He served as the Worshipful Master, or presiding officer, in 1974-1975. Masons use the original definition of Worshipful, meaning “honorable”; English mayors and judges are still addressed as Worshipful. As Grand Master, Brother Stewart will be called Most Worshipful. He is also a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge, Boston; Norumbega Fraternity Lodge, Newtonville; The Masters Lodge, Needham (Worshipful Master, 1995-1996); Winslow Lewis Lodge, Boston (Worshipful Master, 1997-1999); Rose of Sharon Lodge, Charlton (Worshipful Master, 2007-2008). He is an Honorary Member of Mount Holyoke Lodge, South Hadley Falls; The Independence Lodge, Malden; and The Scouters' Lodge, Holden.
Grand Master Stewart was Co-Chairman of the Athelstan Lodge Blood Drive Program between 1974 and 1982. During this time the Lodge was honored numerous times by the American Red Cross for its blood collection program. His efforts brought him to the attention of Right Worshipful W. Terence Stephens, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Service Committee, who had Bro. Stewart appointed to the Committee in 1980. He has served Grand Lodge in some capacity every year since.
In 1982 M.W. J. Philip Berquist appointed Stewart Junior Grand Deacon, with responsibility for attending to the Grand Master. That same year he received the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service to the fraternity. In 1985 and 1986 he served as Grand Tyler – guarding the outer door when Grand Lodge was meeting. In 1986 he was named a Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Denmark, a position he still holds. From 1987 through 1989 he was the Grand Sword Bearer, assisting R.W. Lowell U. Hammett, Grand Marshal for M.W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMAmes Albert T. Ames'. He was Grand Pursuivant in 1990, attending to admission and seating of members and visitors.
M.W. Edgar W. Darling appointed Bro. Stewart Deputy Grand Master, the second highest ranking Mason in the state. In that year he was also awarded the Henry Price Medal, the most prestigious honor conferred by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Beginning in 2004 he served on the Grand Lodge Board of Directors for a three-year term. He was re-elected in 2007 for a second term. A Director may only serve for two terms before he is required to step down.
In 2007 he was installed Grand Marshal to M.W. Roger W. Pageau, during his term as Grand Master. In addition to serving as the Grand Master’s escort and directing the formation of processions, the Grand Marshal is often one of the Grand Master’s closest advisors. Throughout Most Worshipful Brother Pageau’s three-year term, the new Grand Master was involved in making decisions about the operation of Grand Lodge, the selection and appointment of officers, and other important matters. His familiarity with the opportunities for the fraternity to advance and improve, as well as the issues and challenges it faces, has him positioned to begin his tenure well ahead of the normal learning curve for a new Grand Master.
Active in several Masonic organizations, Most Worshipful Brother Stewart is a member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Worcester. In 1988 and 1989 he led the Chapter of Rose Croix, one of four bodies within Scottish Rite, as Most Wise Master. He belongs to Saint Andrew’s Royal Arch Chapter, Boston Council, and Saint Bernard’s Commandery #12 of the York Rite; as well as the Massachusetts College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, and the York Rite Sovereign College – all York Rite-affiliated bodies that members join by invitation only. He is also a member of Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington, MA.
In 1991, Bro. Stewart 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 community, or Freemasonry. Most recently he was made an Honorary Legion of Honor, the highest recognition that can be bestowed by the DeMolay Supreme Council. It is conferred on a Freemason who was not a DeMolay, but who has performed meritorious service in behalf of the Order of DeMolay, an international organization for your men between 12 and 21 that is sponsored by Masons.
A classic car enthusiast and the owner of a 1955 Jaguar and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, Stewart has had the T-Bird since he was 17. The car has won many national meets sponsored by the Antique Auto Club of America. He also owns a 2004 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Screaming Eagle. He is a member of the Harley Owners Group and the Overlook Riders, a group of motorcycle rider affiliated with Overlook Masonic Health System, Charlton. He also enjoys landscape gardening and once had his yard featured in Better Homes & Gardens.
Stewart has two daughters, Heidi and Kimberly, and four grandchildren.
