A TRIBUTE TO WORSHIPFUL BROTHER BERRY L. GRIFFIN​

Please join with me, my brethren and friends in paying tribute to the memory of Berry Luckett Griffin who, as a devoted and productive freemason has laid down his working tools, so dear to his craft. Alas, these are the dates between which brother Griffin’s spirt touch the lives of all mortals within his circle, from his day when his parents looking upon his at his birth, to schoolmates and neighbourhood children engaging with him, to those with whom he had shared occupations and exchanged business, to church and freemasonic associates, and finally to those loved ones near him before his passing:

Berry Luckett Griffin, Jr. Born: AD 20 December 1926 (AL 5926) Initiated an Apprentice Mason: AD 24 January 1956 (AL 5956) Passed as a Fellowcraft: AD 17 April 1956 (AL 5956) Raise to the Sublime Degree: AD 15 May 1956 (AL 5956) Ascended to the Celestial Lodge: AD 14 April 2020 (AL 6020)

At the time Brother Griffin received the Degrees of Freemasonry, was active in the San Francisco area, and the degrees were conferred under the authority of Ingleside Lodge, No. 630, which served a small community just outside the great city. That lodge later consolidated with the nearby Pyramid Lodge, No. 562 and became know as Ingleside-Pyramid Lodge, No. 562. A later absorption rendered the consolidated identity with California Lodge, No. 1. It appears that Brother Griffin might have relocated before such consolidations occurred, since in 1957, he affiliated with Beverly Hills Lodge, No. 528 and demitted from his original lodge in 1960. He had remained steadfastly committed to Beverly Hills Lodge ever since.

Although I am nearly seventy years old while writing this tribute, Brother Griffin was ninety-three years at the time he had laid down his tools. Mine association, therefore, was purely Masonic, as I was not observant of his profession until I later learned about it. He was very much involved with the insurance industry, particularly, as my research has uncovered, with the risk management aspect of it. My research suggests also that he was very accomplished at pursuing his profession. While I doubt there could be another talent with the same name facial feature, an article with his photo from thirty years ago, collaborated by RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society) and AIG (American Insurance Group, Inc.) promulgated his entry into the Risk Management Hall of Fame in 2018. Clearly, his talent in the industry was recognized and appreciated by the Grand Lodge of California, as he served on that institution’s Insurance Committed for eight continuous years, between 2008 and 2016! It is likely the case that his involvement in the industry relocated him from the Northern to Southern California, where he was active in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.

The relocation was to the advantage of Beverly Hills Lodge, which served twice as its Worshipful Master, firstly in 1968 and lastly in 2008. I was not yet a Mason in 1968 (that event would require another four years of waiting on my part), but I was grateful to be asked to serve as his Installing Musician during his second installation. This was mine opportunity to observe the dignity and exquisite demeanour born steadily by this worshipful brother. Neither an harsh nor contentious word had I ever heard from this brother who was loved by all. In truth, he was the revered elder of Beverly Hills Lodge, and their loss is now great. His attendance was steady until the very end. Beverly Hill Lodge honoured me with the privilege of presiding over a recent degree, the Initiation of my dear friend and brother Daniel Adkins as recently as January of this year. I shall ever cherish the event’s photo, in which Worshipful Brother Griffin is seen situated at the centre of the photo near me and Brother Adkins, and along with the entire assemblage present.

My words presently are offered at a time when it is difficult for family and brothers to congregate during a time of pestilence; and may God protect us all as we observe our social distancing for our health and safety. The pain of loss that I feel is more vastly felt by Beverly, now widowed and without the comfort of her husband at her side. Our inclination would be to embrace her and all loved ones in times of sorrow, even as we as brothers would embrace one another. I know from her statements, that Beverly is a person of great faith and devotion; and these are traits that I had seen reflected in Worshipful Brother Berry; and truly they are virtues that have strengthened our fraternity. I am not certain whether a memorial or ceremony of remembrance will be possible under the present circumstances, but I would invite anyone who reads this tribute, to add to it anything that might have been omitted, even as our collective conscience must be pregnant with fond memories.

Now, Brother Griffin has indeed laid down his working tools: the plumb that represented his uprightness; the level, his fairness, and the square, his appreciation of the truth. Even so, my brethren, his trowel, which he has also lain down; but not so the mortar, which by the trowel, he had spread his love and compassion, thus binding himself with us forever, even in heaven as on earth.

Soft and Safe to thee, my Brother, be thy resting place! Worshipful Brother Berry Luckett Griffin, Jr. Bright and glorious be thy rising!

Written and submitted with fraternal respect, by Merrick Hamer, PM 17 April 2020 (AL 6020)