RIGMPerkins

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ELMER FREDERICK PERKINS, JR. 1930-2009

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Grand Master 1990-1991

BIOGRAPHY

Elmer Frederick Perkins, Jr. was born December 20, 1930 to Elmer and Gladys (Reynolds) Perkins in Providence, R. I. He was educated in the public school system and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in June 1948. After joining RI Hospital Trust Company in 1950, he took several banking and business courses over the next ten years to further his education. He served two years in the United States Marine Corps, during which time he married the former Kay Flanders. Their marriage of 39 years has been blessed with two daughters, Constance Bernier who has two sons, Ronald III, and Mark, Diane Weeks, who is the mother of two daughters, Katherine and Faith.

He was employed at RI Tool Company in 1961, and was their purchasing agent when he left in 1971 to co-own and operate with his wife Kay, a Montgomery Ward Catalog Sales Agency in Coventry, RI, and also ran Perkins Home & Office Care at the same time. He worked for the Galloway School Lines from 1981 to mid-1989 as a mechanic, and then as their purchasing agent. He presently works for the State of Rhode Island as a truck maintenance and repair coordinator for the Department of Transportation.

Elmer was raised a Master Mason at Nathanael Green Lodge No. 45 in 1959 and is a life member; he became a member of Harmony Royal Arch Chapter in 1970, serving as High Priest in 1974; is a member of the RI Convention of Anointed High Priests since 1979; is a member of Doric Council since 1970; Thomas Smith Webb Commandery Knights Templar in 1971 (now a member of St. John’s Commandery No.1) Scottish Rite Valley of Providence in 1985, Palestine Shrine in 1989; a member of the Knights of Mecca; a Knight Companion of Plantations Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine in 1989; is an honorary member of Roger Williams Lodge No. 32; and has been a member of the Gaspee Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill 1959. He is also a member of the Masonic Veterans Association of RI.

Elmer joined the Order of Eastern Star in 1969 at Sincerity Chapter in Warwick, and after moving to Scituate became a member of Queen of Sheba Chapter serving in various offices including that of its Worthy Patron in 1981.

Elmer’s outside interests include a love of music. He has been a choir member most of his life, and was a member of the Phillips Memorial Choristers for several years and directed the junior choir at Shawomet Baptist Church in Warwick for a year, where he also taught Sunday School. While a member of Calvary Baptist Church he was the head of Deacons in 1969. He is presently an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church in North Scituate, where he is a member of the choir and also serves as a Reader and Chalice Bearer. Elmer attended Cursillo No. 7 in July 1979, and served as Staff on a Cursillo weekend several years later.

Elmer has a love of fine wood and good craftsmanship which led him to build a summer house on Johnson’s Pond in 1966. He constructed a beautiful 3 bedroom A-frame home in Scituate in 1970-1971. He presently lives in a mobile home in West Greenwich in a quiet park with a country setting. When he has leisure time he works on his ultra-light plane and has been a member of the US Ultralight Association for 3 years.

Elmer was the Grand Master of Ceremonies for Right Worshipful Charles M. Menge, Past Grand Master, from 1972 to 1980, and was appointed to the Seventh Masonic District as Deputy Grand Master in 1980 by the then Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles M. Menge. This year as Grand Master will be the 19th consecutive year Elmer has served in the Grand Lodge.


Rhode Island People