RIGMThibodeau
JOSEPH WALTER THIBODEAU 1924-2010
Grand Master 1992-1993
BIOGRAPHY
Joseph Walter Thibodeau of Roger Williams Lodge No. 32, A. F. & A. M. of North Providence, Rhode Island was elected and installed the One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepter Masons in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the 201st Annual Communication held in Freemasons’ Hall, East Providence Rhode Island on May 18, 1992.
Joseph W. Thibodeau was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 16, 1924, the son of Joseph L. and Alice (Connors) Thibodeau. He was educated in the Providence Public School system and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, Providence. He received his BA in Economics from Syracuse University and received his MSW in Social Work from West Virginia University. He entered the United States Navy in 1941 and served as a Radioman First Class and was honorably discharged in 1945.
In 1946 Right Worshipful Brother Thibodeau married the former Miss Doris Strobel and their marriage was blessed by two daughters, Dianne Parisi of Annandale, Virginia and Gail Bowers of Warwick, Rhode Island. They are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren, Brian Parisi, Lauren and Kelly Bowers.
After college graduation, Right Worshipful Brother Thibodeau entered the business world and was employed by the John Hancock Insurance Company and other companies as a life, fire and casualty underwriter.
He began a career in Civil Service in 1960, which terminated in retirement in 1987 after 27 years of service. During this period he served as caseworker, supervisor, administrator, and finally as program assessor at the Rhode Island State Health Department. He also did private consultation work in nursing homes for a four-year period following retirement. Since January of 1992 he has been fully retired and is now able to devote his entire time to Freemasonry.
Right Worshipful Brother Thibodeau is a former member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Pawtucket where he served a three-year period on the Vestry. He also served as parish coordinator for The Annual Charity Appeal for two years. He did volunteer work for two years of the Inter-Agency Council on smoking as a group leader helping people to stop smoking.
Right Worshipful Brother Thibodeau’s Masonic career began in June 1952 when he received his Entered Apprentice Degree in Roger Williams Lodge No. 32 in Centerdale, Rhode Island. He signed the By-Laws of Roger Williams Lodge on December 13, 1952. He was elected and installed as Worshipful Master of Roger Williams Lodge on May 15, 1982. He is an affiliated member of St. John's Lodge No. 1 Providence and holds Honorary Membership in Charity Lodge No. 23 and Franklin Lodge No. 20.
He was appointed as Director of Masonic Education and served in this position from 1983-1984. He was appointed as a District Deputy Grand Master to serve in the Seventh District by Most Worshipful Robert S. Corp and subsequently served in the other Masonic Districts except the Fifth and Third. He was elected as Junior Grand Warden in 1989, Senior Grand Warden in 1990 and Deputy Grand Master in 1991.
Right Worshipful Brother Thibodeau is a member of Calvary Commander of Knights Templar No. 13, Providence Chapter No. 1 Royal Arch Masons, Providence Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, and is currently serving as Deputy Master, Red Cross of Constantine, Plantations Conclave and What Cheer York Rite College.
He currently holds membership in the Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence, serving as Junior Warden in Rhode Island Chapter of Rose Croix; holds membership in Palestine Shrine A. A. O. N. M. S., where he is a member of Knights of Mecca; is a Colonel in the Rhode Island Militia; a member of Narragansett Chapter No. 14 of National Sojourners; also, Oliver Hazard Perry Encampment Heros of “76”. Sword of Bunker Hill, Gaspee Order No. 99; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Massasoit Forrest; and the Rhode Island Masonic Veterans Association.
