MAGLKLepisto

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KARL O. LEPISTO 1915-1990

KarlLepisto_SGW1974.jpg

Senior Grand Warden, 1974

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1990-114:

Right Worshipful Karl Olavi Lepisto was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 13, 1915 and was called to "that Celestial Lodge above" on October 14, 1990. The son of Anton and Emma Lepisto, he received his basic education in the Marlboro, New Hampshire school system and Wentworth Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, graduating in 1936. Right Worshipful Lepisto retired from General Electric, Power Transformer Department, Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1975 as a Quality Assurance Specialist and Process Control Engineer.

He was a very active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Pittsfield, Massachusetts having served as Lay Leader, Lay Speaker, Chairman of the Administrative Board, Trustee, Church Sunday School Teacher and member of the Finance and Pastor Parish Relations Committees.

Right Worshipful Lepisto was raised in Crescent Lodge A.F. & A.M., Pittsfield on January 24, 1944. Progressing though the chairs, he served as Worshipful Master in 1951 and Secretary from 1955 to 1985. He served as Master of the Twentieth Lodge of Instruction in 1961, District Deputy Grand Master of the Pittsfield Sixteenth Masonic District in 1961 and 1962, he also served our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge as Senior Grand Warden in 1974 and as a Grand Lodge Representative to the state of Nebraska from 1974 to 1990. He received the Henry Price Medal in 1974.

Active in York Rite Masonry, Right Worshipful Lepisto was exalted in Berkshire Royal Arch Chapter, Pittsfield on May 10, 1945. He served as High Priest in 1955 and as Secretary from 1969 to 1986. Anointed in the Massachusetts Convention of High Priests on March 8, 1955, he was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1965-66. He also served Grand Chapter as Grand Master, First Veil in 1966; Deputy Grand High Priest in 1968; and Grand Representative to the state of Wisconsin from 1968 to 1990. He is the recipient of the Benjamin Hurd Medal. He was greeted in Berkshire Council, Royal and Select Masters, Pittsfield on April 23,1947.

He served as Illustrious Master in 1953 and as Recorder from 1976 to 1986. He served Grand council as Grand Steward in 1955; Grand Principal conductor of the work in 1970; and Grand Representative to the state of Mississippi from 1977 to 1990. He was knighted in Berkshire Commandery No. 22 Knights Templar, Pittsfield on November 17, 1947. He served as Eminent Commander in 1956 and Recorder from 1956 to 1986. He served Grand Commandery as Knight Templar Cross of Honor in 1976 and as chairman of the Western Area Eye Foundation from 1967 to 1990.

In Scottish Rite Masonry, Right Worshipful Lepisto was initiated in Onota Lodge of Perfection on October 9, 1973; Pontoosuc Council - Princes of Jerusalem on October 30, 1973; Pittsfield Chapter of Rose croix on November 13, 1973; all of the Valley of Pittsfield. He was initiated in Consistory 32nd Degree, Connecticut Valley Springfield on December 6, 1973. Right Worshipful Lepisto was a member of Bay State Conclave Red Cross of Constantine; Knights of the York Cross of Honor; Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic order of the Mystic Shrine; and Shiraz Grotto, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of Enchanted Realm.

On July 3, 1941, Right Worshipful Brother Lepisto was married to Dorothy Andrew Stokes in Pittsfield. They had one son, C. Bruce Lepisto of Fails Church, Virginia. Brother Lepisto is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Anne Conant of Charlestown, New Hampshire.

A private funeral service was conducted on October 15, 1990 at the Wellington Funeral Home, Pittsfield, Massachusetts by the Reverend John A. Beattie, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Lenox. Internment was in the Pittsfield Cemetery.

His tireless devotion and service to Masonry and his church were the characteristics that exemplifed the life of Right Worshipful Karl Olavi Lepisto. He will be sorely missed by all.

A Fraternal Remembrance by,
Right Worshipful Lawrence D. Tonini
Right Worshipful Willis B. Altman
Right Worshipful Frederick E. Fiske
Committee


Distinguished Brothers