RIGMBrearley
Contents
JOSEPH BENNETT BREARLEY 1934-
Grand Master 2003-2004
BIOGRAPHY
Brother Joseph Bennett Brearley was born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island on November 8, 1934, the son of Walter and Ethel Ruth (Bennett) Brearley. He attended Westerly schools and in February 1954 enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training and schools at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he was stationed at Fort Devons, Massachusetts and was reassigned to the 804th Engineer Aviation Battalion in England, where he served for 18 months. After returning to the States, he completed his three-year obligation at Fort Totton, New York, at a Nike missile site until his discharge on February 1957. Upon returning to civilian life, he was employed by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, graduating from the apprentice program as a ship fitter. He was promoted to Foreman and then General Foreman, retiring after 35 years with the company in 1992.
He is married to the former Anna Marie Camacho of Ashaway, Rhode Island, and is the father of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson. He is a member and Elder of the Babcock Presbyterian Church in Ashaway. He holds a life membership in the Electric Boat Management Association, and is a member of the Electric Boat Apprentice Alumni Association, American Legion Harold W. Merrill Post 16 in Westerly, RI, and Order of Odd Fellows – Friendship Lodge No. 16 in Kenyon, RI.
MASONIC RECORD
SYMBOLIC
Brother Brearley became a member of Franklin Lodge No. 20 in 1960 and served as Master in 1980. He is also a member of St. John's Lodge No. 1, Providence in Cranston, Adelphoi Lodge No. 33 in Riverside, and an honorary member of St. Paul’s Lodge No. 14 in Middletown.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1992 for the Seventh District by Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, Brother Joseph W. Thibodeau and served this District from 1992-1994. He also served in the Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, Third, East Bay, and Metro Districts. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2000, Senior Grand Warden in 2001, Deputy Grand Master in 2002, and installed as Most Worshipful Grand Master in May 2003. Brother Brearley also serves as the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.
CAPITULAR
Brother Brearley is also a member of Franklin Chapter No. 7, Royal Arch Masons and served as High Priest in 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1976. He is also a member of Providence Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons and an honorary member of Landmark Chapter No. 10, Royal Arch Masons. He was appointed to the Grand Royal Arch line by Brother Walter Johnson, then Grand High Priest in 1975, and was elected and installed Grand Scribe in 1985, Grand King in 1986, and served as Grand High Priest in 1987-1988. Brother Brearley is the Grand Representative to the Royal Arch Chapter, Connecticut. He served on many Grand Chapter Committees including Jurisprudence, Membership, Charity Trust Fund, and the Triennial Committee. He is a permanent member of the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in Bronze in 1976 and named General Grand Ambassador for Rhode Island from 1990 to 1993.
CRYPTIC
Brother Brearley is a member of Narragansett Council Royal and Select Master Masons No. 6 serving as its Thrice Illustrious Master in 1983. He is a member of Providence Council Royal and Select Master Masons No. 1 and served the Grand Council of Rhode Island on the Membership Committee an as Assistant Grand Lecturer. He is a member of the Council of Anointed Kings of Rhode Island and Grand Representative of Grand Council to Vermont.
CHIVALRIC
He was Knighted in Narragansett Commandery No. 27 in Westerly, RI, and served as Commander in 1982. He is also a member of St. Johns Commandery No. 1, Cranston, RI, a member of Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and a life member of the Knight Templar Eye Foundation.
SCOTTISH RITE
In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he is a member of the Valley of Providence and served as Most Wise Master, Chapter of Rose Croix in 2000-2001, and nominated in September 2002 to receive the 33° in September 2003.
Brother Brearley is a member of Plantations Conclave No. 30, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Appendant Orders for the United States of America, Mexico, and the Philippines and was installed Eminent Viceroy in 2002 and Puissant Sovereign in 2002.
OTHER MASONIC AFFILIATIONS
Brother Brearley is a member of the Rhode Island Shriners A. A. O. N. M. S.; Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Roger Williams Priory No. 48, elected Prior in 1996; What Cheer York Rite College No. 43; RI Convention on Anointed High Priest in 1971; Moslem Grotto; Masonic Grand Lodge Charities; Masonic Veteran’s Association; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Massasoit Forest No. 91; Van Rensselaer Scottish Rite Club; RI Council of Deliberation, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Swords of Bunker Hill, Gaspee Order No. 99; National Sojourners, Narragansett Bay Chapter No. 14 (Heroes of ’76); Royal Order of Scotland; Grand Chapter of New York Royal Arch Masons (honorary); Order of Thrice Illustrious Master of Virginia (honorary); Grand Chapter of Kentucky Royal Arch Masons (honorary); Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Kentucky (honorary); and Grand Commandery of Kentucky (honorary).
