Memorial Frame unveiled to R.W.Bro. Norman Humes by the Grand Master M.W.Bro Douglas T. Grey

R.W.Bro. Norman Humes

At the stated communication of Castlederg Masonic Lodge 799, on the 1st December 2015, the Grand Master the M.W.Bro. Douglas T. Grey unveiled a Memorial Frame to R.W.Bro Norman Humes, after the following Memoriam Resolution in Regard to the Late R.W.Bro. Norman Humes was read by V.W.Bro. Rev. Canon H. Trimble, proposed by Bro. D Sproule S.W., seconded by Bro. C Andrews J.W. and passed by the Lodge.

The worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Castlederg Masonic Lodge No 799, assembled in Stated Communication on this 1st Day of December 2015, desire to place on record our sense of deep sorrow on the death on the 25th Day of November 2013, of our well beloved member, Right Worshipful Brother Norman Humes J.P. Provinical Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh, within the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

Right Worshipful Brother Humes was Initiated into this Lodge, working under Warrant No 799 of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland in December 1960. In 1966 he became a founder member of The Old Portora Masonic Lodge, working under Warrant No 859 of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland and in due time was installed as the Worshipful Master and Honorary Secretary. He became a Life Governor of The Masonic Boy's School in 1969. He was installed as the Worshipofil Master of his mother lodge in 1973 and was also an afiliated member of Castle Mervyn Masonic Lodge No 58 of the Grand Lodge of Ireland at Trillick. In the Masonic Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh. He gained life govemorship of the Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund 1977 and later he became an elected member its board, becoming Vice Chairman.

In the Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone and Fermanagh our late lamented Brother was installed Provincial Grand Master's Standard Bearer in 1986, as Very Worshipful Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1988 Very Worshipful Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1991, Very Worshipful Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1993, as Very Worshipful Provincial Grand Secretary from 1994 until 2003. In 2004 he was Installed as Right Worshipful Assistant Grand Master, promoted to the Office of Right Worshipful Provincial Deputy Grand Master in 2011 and as Right Worshipful The Grand Master of the Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh six months before his demise in 2013. Previously he had, in the year 2000 been Installed as Very Worshipful Grand Inner Guard In the Grand Lodge of Ireland followed in 2001 as Very Worshipful Grand Sword Bearer and in 2002 as Very Worshipful Junior Grand Deacon, His Jewel of this Of?ce is included in his memorial.

The memorial Frame

We the members of Lodge No 799 are honoured to have been entrusted by our Late Right Worshipful Brother to be custodians of his Patent of Office as Provincial Grand Master, as well as some of his treasured Masonic Jewels, including those he was awarded through his membership of Castlederg Royal Arch Chapter No 799 on the roll of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, he was advanced to the Chapter in 1966, and Installed as Excellent King in his Chapter in 1976 and again in 2006. Some other tokens presented during his worldwide Masonic travels are included in his memorial frame.

Moving forward in Freemasonry, Right Worshipful Bro Norman was in 1970 Installed as a Knight of the military Order of the Temple in The Tyrone and Fermanagh Preceptory and as a Knight Hospitaller in 1972, he held the Office of Eminent Preceptor in 1986 followed by the Office of Prior.

In 1989 he was invited to become a member of Origional Prince Masons Chapter, being Installed as Most Wise Sovereign in 2001.and finally was elected as a Knight of the Sun 28o of the Ancient and Accepted rite for Ireland. 2010

Right Worshipful Brother Norman was a good, steadfast and thoughtful friend to all, who by his own precepts and example instilled in his Brother Freemasons, a greater appreciation of the Order. We as Brethren of Castlederg Masonic Lodge No 799, The province of Tyrone and Fermanagh and Irish Freemasonry in General have lost a senior member, a faithful Freemason and a famed Masonic ambassador world wide, Each of us is the poorer for his passing We respectfully tender sincere sympathy to his widow Ivy and their family, praying that the Great Architect of the Universe will continue to comfort them in the future as he has done in the past.

We acknowledge the presence of the Most Worshipful The Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Ireland, The Most Worshipful Douglas T. Grey, The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of The Masonic Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh Right Worshipful Bro, Maurice W. Lee, together with other visiting Brethren as recorded in the Attendance Book.

The memorial Frame

The Grand Master assisted by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Maurice Lee and the Worshipful Master presented 50 Year Jewels to WBros Robert McKeen Huey, initiated 2/2/1965, Robert Ian Duncan, initiated 1/6/1965 and Samuel George Walls, initiated 7/12/1965.

On the Stated Communication of the Lodge closing Mrs Ivy Humes and the Ladies of the Lodge Members entered to view the Memorial Frame and the Lodge room. All then retired to the Derg Arms for refreshments and bring an excellent evening to a close.