You will be missed R.I.P.
W.Bro. Thomas William Gray - 07/06/1930 - 02/12/2020
It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of W.Bro. Tom W. Gray, at the age of 90. Tom was in the back of an ambulance one the way to a routine hospital appointment for an eye condition on Tuesday 2nd December, when he fell suddenly quiet and was discovered to have passed gently to the Grand Lodge Above.
Tom was initiated at the time of his retirement as a Headteacher: less than 3 years later he was Advanced into Central Keystone Lodge of MMM No 744. In another 3 years, he became a Founder of the Progress Lodge of MMM No 1746. Once he had been W.M. of 744, Tom went on to join Warwickshire Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1400. He also joined Concord Lodge of MMM No 735 and the Ronald Albutt Lodge of MMM No 1822. In Worcestershire, Tom was a Founder of the Millennium Lodge of MMM No 1822, the Quill and Key Lodge of MMM No 1901 and the St. George’s Lodge of MMM No 1920, as well as Joining the Worcestershire Installed Mark Masters Lodge No 1409. W.Bro. Tom was appointed to and Promoted in Provincial Grand Ranks in both provinces, until he was appointed to the Grand Rank of P.G.St.B. in 2011.
W.Bro. Tom was also a committed Royal Ark Mariner in Lodges in both provinces, and was appointed to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank two years ago.
In both our Orders, as well as in many others, W.Bro. Tom would never be found without a job to do, whether he was a member or a visitor. He wasn’t a man to keep his thoughts to himself, and could be outspoken at times. However, he was also incredibly kind, generous and enthusiastic.
Outside of Masonry, Tom was a Parish Councillor; a Member of the Rotary Club; a Teachers Union representative; an advocate for Pensioner organisations and charities, and a valued Cricket Umpire.
Despite increasing ill-health and disability, Tom remained active within his Lodges right up until the suspension of masonry in March. He leaves behind his wife, Doreen and their adult children. We have been asked to hold back from contacting Doreen as she comes to terms with her loss, but W.Bro. Joe McCollum will keep us informed.
