Everyone from Northumberland Freemasons congratulates W.Bro John Jacobson, of Newcastle upon Tyne Lodge No.24, on completing 50 years of uninterrupted service in the Craft.
John was initiated into Freemasonry, in Newcastle upon Tyne Lodge, which meets at Byker Masonic Hall, in June 1972, and was Master of the Lodge in 1981. He was acknowledged for his dedication to the Craft when he received appointment in Provincial Grand Lodge, in 1990, to the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon. He received subsequent promotions to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1995 and finally Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2003.
He was exalted into the Royal Arch Chapter in 1974, in Willington Royal Arch Chapter No.4028, in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Durham, and became a joining member of Chapter De Swinburne No.24, in 1988.
On leaving school John worked as a Fitter and Turner at Vickers for 18 months, subsequently moving to well known sewing machine company, Flemings, where he served a 5 years apprenticeship as a sewing machine mechanic. He met the love of his life, Joyce, whom he married and had a son, Lee, and a daughter, Fiona, John went on to become a sales rep and worked for various companies including, JM Carr, a printers and stationers, FA Knight, an office equipment supplier, Benrose & Son, selling advertising and Flather Hail Zone Ltd, selling steel.
John then started his own business in 1984, involved in engineering and assembly in aluminium and brass etc, after Joyce pushed him, finally retiring in 2012. The business was a great success, at one time consisting of two companies with a workforce of thirty.
Sadly Joyce died in September 2018. John has no hobbies, per se, however, tells everyone that his whole life has revolved around his family and Freemasonry and he is the proud grandfather of two grandchildren, one from Lee and one from Fiona. John has visited many countries and many Masonic lodges on his travels including the USA, Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore.
Many thanks to W.Bro Bob Cuthbertson for the submission of this article.
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