RIGMLSmith

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LEONARD EDWARD SMITH 1898-1976?

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Grand Master 1962-1963

BIOGRAPHY

Leonard Edward Smith, of Saint Andrew's Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M., of Riverside, Rhode Island, was elected and installed the One Hundred and Eighth 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 Seventy-third Annual Communication, held in Providence on Monday, May 20, A. L. 5963, A.D. 1963.

Most Worshipful Brother Smith was bom in Providence, Rhode Island on May 6, 1898, the son of Edward K. and Cora M. (Smart) Smith. He is married to the former Miss L. Gertrude Chapman and they have two sons; Leonard E. Smith, Jr. and Ronald C. Smith.

His early education was in the public schools in Providence, after which he entered Rhode Island State College where he is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He furthered his education in the American Institute of Banking and is a past President of Providence Chapter, A. I. B. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.

He was employed by the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company for almost forty years and recently retired as Assistant Vice President.

He is a member of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church and is a former member of the Vestry, and served as Clerk of the Vestry for several years.

In civic affairs he was a member of the Board of Canvassers of the City of East Providence for many years, and was, for a number of years, its Chairman.

Most Worshipful Brother Smith's Masonic record began on February 13, 1922, when he was initiated in Saint Andrews Lodge, No. 39, Riverside, Rhode Island, and on May 22, 1922, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He was elected Worshipful Master of his Lodge in November, 1933. For the past thirty years he has served on the Board of Trustees of Real Estate for Saint Andrew's Lodge and has been its Chairman since 1946.

Ho was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Fourth Masonic District in November 1954, by Most Worshipful Brother Bernard B. Abedon, and the following years was appointed to a similar position in other Districts. On May 16, 1960, he was elected Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden; Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden on May 15, 1961, and Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master on May 21, 1962.

At present he is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Maine near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.

He is a member of Liberty Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., and was elected High Priest in May, 1935. He was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in March, 1950. In the Cryptic Rite, he is a member of Providence Council, No. 1, R. & S. M. In the Christian Knighthood, he is a member of Calvary Commandery, No. 13, of East Providence.

He holds membership in the four bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence, and in May of 1954, was elected Most Wise Master of Rhode Island Chapter of Rose Croix.

On September 26, 1950, he was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Cincinnati, Ohio.

He is also a member of Palestine Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., a past Patron of Unity Chapter, No. 14, Order of the Eastern Star on Riverside, and the Masonic Veteran's Association of Rhode Island.

He was made a Prophet at Sight in Moslem Grotto, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, on November 27, 1903. He is an Honorary Member of Warwick Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., and of Narragansett Bay Chapter, No. 14, National Sojourners.

He has been elected to receive the Honorary Legion of Honor Degree, of the Order of DeMolay.

On June 1, 1963, the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia honored him with the Erasmus James Phillips Medallion; on June 21, 1963, he was presented with the Jeremy Ladd Cross Medal, by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire; and on April 2, 1964, the Grand Lodge of Connecticut presented him with the Pierpont Edwards Medal. All of these Medals being for Distinguished Masonic Service.

Most Worshipful Brother Smith has been very active in the planning for an O. E. S. Home for the elderly. He has served as President and Treasurer of this Corporation; and had the honor of laying the Cornerstone for the Home, on May 20, 1963.


Rhode Island People