MAGLRAstley
Contents
RONALD ASTLEY 1901-1986
- MM 1928, WM 1934, Mount Holyoke
- DDGM, Holyoke 17, 1939, 1940
- Senior Grand Warden 1949
MEMORIAL
PROCEEDINGS, 1987
From Proceedings, Page 1987-19:
Right Worshipful Ronald Astley was born in Holyoke, Massachusens, on July 15, 1901, and was called to "that house, not made with hands", on December 31, 1986.
The son of Joseph and Margaret (Kemp) Astley, he moved to South Hadley in 1902 and spent his remaining years as an active part of this community. He was educated in the South Hadley school system, graduating from South Hadley High School, where he had served as Class President, in 1919.
Right Worshipful Astley began his business career with the American Writing Paper Company in Holyoke and three years later joined the P.P. Kellogg Company, a Division of the United States Paper Company, as its purchasing Agent. From here he moved to the Highland Manufacturing Company, where he filled many positions, ultimately becoming Treasurer and Manager of the Company; retiring in 1964.
On April 3,1923, he married Pauline E. Lane, who passed away in 1964. On June 17, 1967, he married Violet Williams, who survives him.
In his community, Right Worshipful Astley served as a member of the Board of Assessors for the Town of South Hadley for 17 years. He also served on the Industrial Committee for the city of Holyoke, chairman of the Housing Authority for the Elderly in South Hadley, chairman of the Holyoke chapter of the National Council of Christians and Jews, and chairman of civil Defense in South Hadley. An Incorporator of the Holyoke Hospital, he also served as chairman of the Appraising Committee of the Holyoke Co-Operative Bank, as an Incorporator of the Community Savings Bank and President of the Holyoke Lions Club.
Right Worshipful Astley was raised in Mount Holyoke Lodge A. F. & A. M., South Hadley Falls, on May 19, 1928. Progressing through the chairs, he was installed as Worshipful Master in 1934. Appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1939 and 1940 by M.W.Joseph Earl Perry, he was elected Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1949. He was appointed a member of the Grand Lodge Education Committee in 1947 and served through 1970. Elected to the Board of Directors of the Grand Lodge, he served from 1953 though 1977. He was a Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A recipient of the Joseph Warren and Henry Price Medals, awarded by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for notable and distinguished service to the Craft, Right Worshipful Astley was presented the Veteran's Medal in 1978 signifying 50 years of membership in the Fratemity.
In York Rite Masonry, Right Worshipful Astley was exalted in Mount Holyoke Chapter, Royal Arch Masonry, Holyoke, on September 25, 1956. Greeted in Holyoke Council, Royal and Select Masters, on November 5, 1956, and Knighted in Saint Andrew Commandery Number 49, Knights Templar, on November 18, 1963.
Active in Scottish Rite Masonry, Right Worshipful Astley completed his degrees in the Valley of Springfield on April 30, 1953. He was Thrice Potent Master of Evening Star Lodge of Perfection in 1963-1964. Created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third Degree, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, on September 27, 1961, he was crowned an active member on September 27, 1967, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On September 30, 1976, Right Worshipful Astley became an Active Emeritus Member. Right Worshipful Astley served on the following committees for the Supreme Council: Committee on - 1967-1976, Committee on Buildings and Properties - 1969-1972, Special Committee on Program Development - 1973, and Committee on Benevolence - 1974-1976.
Right Worshipful Astley was a member of Saint Matthew's Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Sojourners Club, the General Westover Square Club, Westover Air Force Base, and served for more than 15 years on the Board of Governors of the Shriners Bums Institute, Boston Unit. He served the Craft well and faithfully and was honored with honorary memberships by Hope Lodge, Artisan Lodge, Aurora Lodge, Mount Zion Lodge, Star Lodge, Athol Lodge, Trinity Lodge, Wilder Lodge, Chicopee Lodge, Day Spring Lodge, Star Evening Star Lodge, William Whiting Lodge, Mount Holyoke Lodge as well as Salaam Shrine Temple, Newark, New Jersey.
A member of the Congregational Church of South Hadley Falls, he served as Superintendent of its Sunday School, as well as a Church Deacon and member of the Finance and Prudential Committees.
Right Worshipful Ronald Astley was a distinguished Mason, an upright citizen, a man who was an inspiration to all. Sought after by Lodges as a speaker and Installing Master, his voice always rang true. It has been said by many, that "You haven't seen a Masonic Installation Ceremony unless you've seen a Ron Astley Installation." His personal and public goal was always "a better tomorrow." He said, "Regardless of what today is like, I believe better days are yet to come - if we work at it." He will be sorely missed.
In addition to being survived by his wife, Violet, he also leaves a sister, Lillian of Knoxville, Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews.
A Masonic Funeral Service was conducted by worshipful John M. Gauger and the Officers of Mount Holyoke A. F. & A. M. on Friday evening, January 2, 1987, at the Ryder Funeral Home in South Hadley. Religious services were held on Saturday, January 3, 1987, at the Congregational Church of South Hadley Falls, with Rev. Carl Siktberg, Minister of the South Hadley United Methodist Church, officiating. Right Worshipful Ronald Astley was laid to rest in the Village Cemetery, south Hadley Falls.
Fratemally submitted,
R.W. Benjamin G. Hull
R.W. Lewis L. Huston
R.W. Ronald E. Jackson
R.W. Roland E. Mosley
Wor. John M. Gauger
Committee
COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION, 1987
From Proceedings of the Massachusetts Council of Deliberation AASR NMJ 1987, Page 30:
Ill. Ronald Astley, 33°
Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, July 15, 1901
Died in Holyoke, Massachusetts, December 31, 1986
Ill. Ronald Astley, 33°, active Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council for the State of Massachusetts, died on December 31, 1986, at Holyoke, Massachusetts. He had been in failing health the past several months and his passing is a great loss to all Freemasonry, his family, and the general community.
Ill. Brother Astley was born at Holyoke, Massachusetts, on July 15, 1901, the son of Joseph and Margaret (Kemp) Astley. He attended the public schools, graduating from South Hadley High School, where he had been president of the class of 1919.
He began his business career with the American Writing Paper Company and three years later joined the P. P. Kellogg Division of the United States Paper Company as Purchasing Agent. In 1927, he became associated with Highland Manufacturing Company, He rose steadily through the ranks, ultimately becoming Treasurer and Manager of the Company. Upon retiring from the company in 1964, he was appointed an Assessor for the Town of South Hadley to fill a vacancy and subsequently was elected to the post, where he served for several years. He was also vice president, director, and chairman of the appraising committee of the Holyoke Cooperative Bank and an incorporator of the Community Savings Bank.
On April 3, 1923, he married Pauline E. Lane, who passed away in 1964. On June 17, 1967, he married Violet Williams, who survives.
He took an active interest in community affairs serving on the Industrial Committee for the City of Holyoke, chairman of the Housing Authority for the Elderly in South Hadley, former chairman of the Holyoke Chapter of the National Council of Christians and Jews, former chairman of Civil Defense in South Hadley, an incorporator of the Holyoke Hospital, and had served as president of the Holyoke Lions Club. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Burns Institute, Boston Unit.
Ill. Brother Astley was a member of the South Hadley Congregational Church and was a former director of its Bible School. For 15 years he served on the Prudential and Church Committee.
Our Illustrious Brother had a distinguished career in Masonry having been raised a Master Mason in Mount Holyoke Lodge, A.F. & A.M., South Hadley Falls, on May 19, 1928. Progressing through the line offices, he was the Worshipful Master in 1934. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Holyoke 17th Masonic District in 1939 and 1940 and was elected Senior Grand Warden for the year 1949. He was appointed a member of the Grand Lodge Education Committee in 1947, continuing through 1970. Elected to the Board of Directors of the Grand Lodge, he served from 1953 through 1977. He was the recipient of the Joseph Warren and Henry Price Medals, the only two medals awarded by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for notable and distinguished service to the craft. In 1978 he was presented the Veterans Medal of the Grand Lodge signifying 50 years of membership in the fraternity.
In the York Rite he was exalted in Mount Holyoke Chapter, R.A.M., on September 25, 1956; greeted in Holyoke Council, R. & S.M., on November 5, 1956; and Knighted in St. Andrew Commandery No. 49, K.T., on November 18, 1963.
In the Scottish Rite he completed the Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Springfield on April 30, 1953. He was the Thrice Potent Master of Evening Star Lodge of Perfection in 1963-64.
He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, on September 27, 1961, at Chicago, Illinois, and crowned an Active Member on September 27, 1961, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He became an Active Emeritus Member on September 30, 1976.
Ill. Brother Astley was affiliated with St. Matthew's Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and Melha Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He held honorary memberships in 13 Masonic Lodges and in Salaam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Newark, New Jersey. He was also a member of the National Sojourners, and the General Westover Square Club, Westover Field, Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Several years ago, Ill.. Brother Astley acknowledged that his personal and public goal was always "a better tomorrow." He said, "regardless of what today is like, I believe better days are yet to come-if we work at it."
A Masonic service was conducted by the Worshipful Master, John M. Gauger, and officers of Mount Holyoke Lodge, A.F. & A.M., on Friday evening, January 2, 1987, at the Ryder Funeral Home, South Hadley. A religious service was held on Saturday, January 3, 1978, at 11:00 a.m., in the South Hadley Falls Congregational Church, with Rev. Carl Siktberg, Minister of the United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Village Cemetery, South Hadley Falls.
Present at the visiting hours on Friday evening was Ill. Raymond W. Williamson, 33°, Active Member for Massachusetts. Representing the Sovereign Grand Commander at the religious service on Saturday was Ill. Roland E. Mosley, 33°, Active Member and Deputy for Massachusetts, accompanied by Ill. Stanley F. Maxwell, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander Emeritus, and Ill. Sidney R. Baxter, 33°, Active Member at Large and Assistant to the Sovereign Grand Commander. Also seated in the congregation was Most Worshipful Albert T. Ames, 32°, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, accompanied by the Grand Marshal, Rt. Wor. Lowell U. Hammett, 32°. There were in attendance many brethren and Masonic leaders from across the state.
