RIGMAbedon
BERNARD BENNETT ABEDON 1905-1991
Grand Master 1954-1955
BIOGRAPHY
From Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, 1955:
Bernard Bennett Abedon, of Redwood Lodge, No. 35, A. F. & A. M., of Providence, R. I., was elected and installed the ninety-ninth Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the One Hundred and Sixty-third Annual Communication held in Providence on Monday, May 17, A. L. 5954, A. D. 1954.
M. W. Brother Abedon was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 1, 1905, son of Harry and Jennie Abedon.
He was educated in the public schools of Providence, graduating from Hope High School. He attended Boston University College of Business Administration, Boston, Massachusetts, before entering the Law School of Boston University, where he graduated in 1928 with the degree of L. L. B. He was a member of the Law Review of the Boston University Law School.
On June 8, 1927 he was married to Anna B. Seidman, and the union has been blessed with two sons, Herbert Joseph Abedon, who graduated from Harvard College and is now a law student at the University of Pennsylvania; and Richard Lloyd Abedon, a student in his junior year at Colby College, Waterville, Maine.
Brother Abedon was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1928 and became a member of the Federal Court in 1929. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association and was Chairman of the Executive Board after serving thereon for two years. He is also a member of the United States Judicature Society.
Brother Abedon is a member of Temple Emanu-El and is Vice-President of its Men's Club.
He is on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Home for the Aged of Rhode Island.
Ex-Governor John O. Pastore appointed him to the United Nations Committee.
He has served as Chief Crier of the Town Criers of Rhode Island, one of the largest civic organizations in the State of Rhode Island, advisory member Draft Board No. 11 from 1942 to 1944, member of the Appeal Board of Rhode Island of the Federal Rent Control Board, member of the Board of Governors of Big Brothers of Rhode Island, member of the Board of Directors Multiple Sclerosis Society of Rhode Island, and member of the Board of Governors of the Ledgemont Country Club.
M. W. Brother Abedon's Masonic record began on September 10, 1928 when he was initiated in Redwood Lodge, No. 35, Providence, and on January 14, 1929 he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He was elected Worshipful Master of his lodge on May 12, 1941.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh District on May 19, 1047 by M. W. Brother James B. Littlefield, and the following years was appointed to a similar position in other districts. On May 21, 1951 he was elected R. W. Junior Grand Warden; R. W. Senior Grand Warden on May 10, 1952; and R. W. Deputy Grand Master on May 18, 1953.
He was appointed the lirst chairman of the Masonic Youth Foundation of Grand Lodge on its inception in 1951, and served on the Committee on Arrangements for the Grand Masters' Conference held in Washington, D. C., in 1955.
He holds membership in the four bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence.
He is a member of Providence Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Palestine Temple, A.A.D.N.M.S.; and Honorary Member of United Lodge of Brookline, Massachusetts.
He was made a Tall Cedar at sight in Massasoit Forest, No. 112, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, on September 25, 1954, and a Prophet at sight in Moslem Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R., on May 14, 1955.
Brother Abedon gave unstintedly of his time and talents during his term of office as Grand Master, being ever ready and willing to go out of his way to further the interests of Freemasonry, not only within this jurisdiction, but in Other Grand Jurisdictions where his presence was sought on many occasions.
Wherever he went, his friendly manner and warm personality endeared him to those with whom he came in contact.
He relinquishes the office with the respect and esteem of the brethren of this Grand Jurisdiction.
