Proceedings of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar State ... · Masonic Resume. Sir Knight Robins...

Proceedings of the Grand Commandery

Knights Templar State of New Jersey

One Hundred Fifty-Sixth Annual Conclave

HELD AT

SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY March 5, 2016 A.D., 898 A.O.

This book is the property of the Grand Commandery of New Jersey and is loaned to its Grand Officers and Constituent Commanderies or exchanged with other Grand Bodies.

PROCEEDINGS

of the

GRAND COMMANDERY

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR STATE OF NEW JERSEY

at its

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIXTH

ANNUAL CONCLAVE

MARCH 5, 2016 A.D., 898 A.O.

held in

SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY

SIR KNIGHT RICHARD G. ROBINS, K.C.T.

Right Eminent Grand Commander

SIR KNIGHT DENNIS L. STEWART Eminent Grand Recorder

INDEX

Page

The Grand Commander’s Masonic Memberships ---------------------------------- 1-2 2015-2016 Schedule ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 Grand Encampment Officers -------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Grand Encampment Committees --------------------------------------------------------- 6 Minutes of the 156th, Stated Grand Conclave -------------------------------------- 7-23 Roll Call ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Necrology -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Committee Reports -------------------------------------------------------------------- 24-27 Grand Commanders Address / Report ---------------------------------------------- 16-18 Grand Recorders / Treasurers Report ----------------------------------------------- 11-14 2016 Grand Commandery Budget -------------------------------------------------- 22 2016 Education Fund Budget -------------------------------------------------------- 21 Election of Officers ------------------------------------------------------------------- 14-20 Minutes of Special Grand Conclaves -------------------------------------------------- 23 Grand Historian’s Report ------------------------------------------------------------------ 28 Grand Commanders Banquet/ Installation of Officers --------------------------------- 29 - 30 Grand Commanders Divine Service ------------------------------------------------------ 30 General/Special Orders/Letters ------------------------------------------------------------ 34-39 Knight Templar Cross of Honor ---------------------------------------------------------- 33 Grand Encampment Honors --------------------------------------------------------------- 31-33 Grand Representatives --------------------------------------------------------------------- 50-53 Masonic Calendar / Ancient Order of the Temple Grand Masters--------------------- 54 Constituent Commanderies Officers 2016 ---------------------------------------------- 40-49 Constituent Commanderies 2016 Activities ---------------------------------------------- 55-56 2016-2017 Officers of the N.J. Grand Commandery ------------------------------------ 57 Inactive Constituent Commanderies ----------------------------------------------------- 60 Living Past Grand Commanders ---------------------------------------------------------- 4 REGC’s from 1860-2016 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 58-59

The Right Eminent Grand Commander S.K. Richard G. Robins

2015 - 2016

S.K. Richard G. Robins Masonic Resume

Sir Knight Robins is married to Lady Cookie Robins they are residing in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

Symbolic Lodge

Raised February 4, 1992 in Sextant Lodge No. 286, Ship Bottom, New Jersey Dual Member in Atlantic Lodge No. 221 Absecon, New Jersey, June 2000 Installed as Worshipful Master of Atlantic Lodge No. 221 Absecon, New Jersey, December 2002 Elected to serve as Lodge Trustee of Atlantic Lodge No. 221 Absecon, New Jersey, 2006 – 2012 Member 23rd Masonic Dist. Past Masters & Wardens Assoc. since 2001; Installed as President Jan.31, 2005 Appointed R.W. Grand Tyler of the M.W. Grand Lodge of New Jersey F. & A.M., May 2005 Board Member Gr, Lodge of NJ F. & A.M. Strategic Planning Committee, May 2007 to April 2010 Installed as Worshipful Master of Sextant Lodge No. 286 Ship Bottom, New Jersey, December 9, 2006 Elected to serve as Lodge Trustee of Sextant Lodge No. 286 Absecon, New Jersey, 2007 – 2010

Capitular Masonry

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Trinity Chapter No. 38, Linwood, New Jersey October 2001 Elected & Installed Most Excellent High Priest of Trinity Chapter No. 38, Linwood, N. J. November 2005 Elected & Installed Secretary of Trinity Chapter No. 38, Linwood, New Jersey November 2006 Installed as Right Excellent Grand Chaplain of the Royal Arch Masons of New Jersey March 2005 Installed as Right Excellent Grand Marshal of the Royal Arch Masons of New Jersey March 2006

Cryptic Masonry Greeted as a Most Excellent Master in Trinity Council No. 11 of Royal & Select Masters of N. J. 2002 Dual Member of Field Council No. 12 Royal & Select Masters Toms River, New Jersey February 2011 Elected and Installed as Deputy Illustrious Master of Field Council No. 12 R. & S.M. December 2011 Elected and Installed as Thrice Illustrious Master of Field Council No. 12 R. & S.M. December 2012

Knights Templar

Knighted in Atlantic Commandery No. 20, Knights Templar of Ocean City, New Jersey, November 2002 Elected & Installed Eminent Commander Atlantic Commandery No. 20, K. T. Ocean City, N.J., Nov. 2007 Elected to serve as Trustee of Atlantic Commandery No. 20, K. T. Ocean City, N.J., November 2008 Installed as Eminent Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of N. J. March 2009 Installed as Eminent Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of N. J. March 2010 Awarded the Gr.Comdry.of K. T. of N. J. Order of the Illustrious Master of the Sword, November 11, 2009 Elected & Installed as Eminent Gr. Junior Warden, Gr. Commandery of K. T. of N. J. March 2011 Elected & Installed as Eminent Gr. Senior Warden, Gr. Commandery of K. T. of N. J. March 2012 Elected & Installed as Eminent Gr. Capt. General, Gr. Commandery of K. T. of N. J. March 2013 Elected & Installed as Eminent Deputy Gr. Commander, Gr. Commandery of K. T. of N. J. March 2014 Awarded the Gr.Encampment.of K. T., U.S.A., Order of the Knight Commander of the Temple, Nov.2014 Elected & Installed as Right Eminent Gr. Commander, Gr. Commandery of K. T. of N. J. March 2015

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Knights Templar Continued

Elected an Honorary Member in Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 1, Hackensack, N.J., March, 2011 Elected an Honorary Member in Corson Commandery No. 15, Toms River, N.J., November, 2015 Elected an Honorary Member in Crusade Commandery No. 23, Haddonfield, N.J., November, 2015 Awarded their Spur of Excellence by Crusade Commandery No. 23, Haddonfield, N.J., November, 2015

Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite

Confered as a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Southern New Jersey November 14, 1992 Became a cast member and ritualist March of 1993 Installed Most Wise Master in Excelsior Chapter Rose Croix May 1999 Installed Sovereign Prince Exelsior Council Princes of Jerusalem May 2003 Installed Commander in Chief Excelsior Consistory S.P.R.S. May 22, 2009 Excelsior Consistory Property, Charity & Investment Fund Trustee 1999-2000, 03-04, 09-10, 2011-present Excelsior Consistory elected & installed Property & Charity Fund Trustee May 2010 & May 2016 Recipient of the honored Meritorious Service award June 2003 Coroneted the prestigious 33rd Degree by the Supreme Council of Grand Inspectors General of the A.A.S.R. Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. August 30, 2005 Elected to the Board of Governors Northfield 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center October 15, 2007 Appointed Vice Chairman Northfield 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center November 2008-2014 Elected 1st Vice President of the 33rd Degree Society Valley of Southern NJ A.A.O.N.M.S. of N J July 2007 Became a Noble of the Cresent Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. November 14, 1992 Knighted in the Royal Order of Scotland September of 1999 Chairman of the Council of Deliberation Scottish Rite State of New Jersey, member June 1997 to present

Other Affiliations

Knighted in the Order of Knight Masons Chapter No. 10 of Northern New Jersey September 2008 Dual and Charter Member of Jersey Shore Chapter No. 107 Knight Masons of New Jersey 2012 Elected and installed as Excellent Chief of Jersey Shore Chapter No. 107 Knight Masons of N J 2013 Received into the N J College of Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis June 22, 2010 Member of Atlantic Forest of Tall Cedars of Lebanon Member of Harold D. Elliot Pyramid No. 1 of the ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots Member of the International Police Square Club 2005 to present Inducted as an honorary charter member of the Knights of St. Andrew A.A.S.R. February 15, 2016 Member of St. Theresa’s Church, Tuckerton, NJ; Director of Extraordinary Ministers, Baptismal Instructor, Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Minister to the Sick and Home Bound Pop Warner Certified Football Official for New Jersey Member and Vice President of the Italian American Club of Mystic Islands Merit Badge Counselor in Animal Care for the Boy Scouts of America Municipal Utilities Authority of Little Egg Harbor NJ Board of Governors Member Little Egg Harbor NJ Ocean County Committee Chairman

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REGC Schedule 2015-2016

2015

York Rite Weekend OV Mar 6-8, 2015 Somerset, NJ

Easter Sunrise Service PV Apr 4-5, 2015 Alexandria, VA Corson Commandery #15 O/V April 9, 2015 Red Bank, NJ GCKT of Conneticut Annual Conclave P/V April 18-19, 2015 Rocky Hill, CT GCKT of NJ, PHA Annual Conclave P/V April 24-25, 2015 Trenton, NJ

Hugh de Paynes Commandery #1 O/V April 27, 2015 Ridgefield Pk, NJ GKKT of New Hampshire Annual Conclave P/V May 8-9, 2015 Concord, NH Ascension Day/ Top-3 Meeting /O/V May 9, 2015 Burlington, NJ GCKT of PA Annual Conclave P/V May 16-17, 2015 Pittsburgh, PA Crusade Commandery #23 O/V June 2, 2015 Haddonfield, NJ GEKT of USA Triennial Conference O/V Aug 8-12, 2015 Buffalo, NY GCRAM%NJ Annual Festival PV Aug 15, 2015 Burlington, NJ Have a safe and happy 4th of July enjoy your summer off ! Northeast York Rite Dept. Conf. September 11-12, 2015 Concord, NH Trinity Commandery #17 O/V September 21, 2015 Westfield, NJ GCR&SM Cryptic Festival P/V * None Scheduled ******** Top-3 Meeting /O/V October 3, 2015 Burlington, NJ Grand Commandery Knighting Festival O/V October 10, 2015 Plainfield, NJ Cyrene Commandery #7 O/V October 15, 2015 Clarksboro, NJ Olivet Commandery #10 O/V October 20, 2015 Vineland, NJ Melita Commandery #13 O/V September 28, 2015 Morristown, NJ GCKT%NJ Christmas Observance (sing-a-long) December 6, 2015 Burlington, NJ

2016

Helena Commandery #3 O/V January 21, 2016 Mt. Holly, NJ St. Johns Commandery #9 O/V January 28, 2016 Union, NJ Atlantic Commandery # 20 O/V February 10, 2016 Egg Hrbr Twp, NJ York Rite Annual Weekend Mar 4-6, 2016 Somerset, NJ 3

LIVING PAST GRAND COMMANDERS

Maurice S. Keirstead (1970) Thurman C. Pace, Jr. PDC (1976) Robert E. Schultz (1990) Owen R. Henry (1993) Alvin L. Zach, Jr. (1996) Frederick J. Berenbroick (2001) Frank L. Blades, Sr. (2002)

Emil P. Busko (2004) William C. Godfrey (2005) William E. Sharp (2006) Ronald J. York (2007)

Michael F. Lakat (2008) William J. Berenbroick (2009)

John J. Corrigan (2010) Robert J. Sheridan (2011) Douglas R. Policastro (2012) Herbert R. Wood (2013) John D. Barnes (2014)

LIVING HONORARY PAST GRAND COMMANDERS Eugenio Melendez

Edward A. Hesley, Sr. M. Edward Verdi II 4

GRAND ENCAMPMENT OFFICERS

2013 – 2015

David Dixon Goodwin …………………………………………..…...…… M. E. Grand Master 1509 Campus Drive, Vestal, NY 13850-4036 (607) 723-8072 Duane Lee Vaught ………………………………………………… R. E. Deputy Grand Master 7850 North Thames Drive, Bloomington, IN 4740 (802) 935-7852 Jeffrey N. Nelson …….…………………………………………….….… R. E. Grand Generalissimo 3112 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, North ND 58503 . (701) 255-5762 Michael Burke Johnson ..………………………………………….…… R. E. Grand Captain General PO Box 575 Crowheart, WY (307) 468-2268 James McCrorry …………………..………….…………………….…………. R.E. Grand Treasurer P.O. Box 666 Floydada, TX 79235 (806) 983-3114 Lawrence Eugene Tucker ………………………………………………..…….. R. E. Grand Recorder 5909 West Loop South, Suite 495, Bellaire, TX 77401 (713) 349-8700 William D. Hartman ….………………………………………..………………… R. E. Grand Prelate 951 Bridge St. Phila. PA (215) 519-5810 Thomas X. Tsirimokos ……………....………….…… R. E. Northeastern Department Commander 2395 Elm St. Manchester, NH 03104 (603) 624-8245

LIVING PAST GRAND MASTERS

Ned E. Dull 1982 – 1985 Donald H. Smith 1985 – 1988 Blair C. Mayford 1994 – 1997 James M. Ward 1997 – 2000 William J. Jones 2000 – 2003 Kenneth B. Fischer 2003 – 2006 William H. Koon II 2007 – 2012

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KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION

David Dixon Goodwin, MEGM, President 1509 Campus Drive, Vestal NY

(607) 723-8072

GRAND ENCAMPMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM NEW JERSEY

Thurman C. Pace, Jr., Honorary Past Grand Master,KGC, PDC Member of Advisory Council

Member of College of Honors for New Jersey Chairman Emeritus of Committee on Finance

Douglas R. Policastro, REPGC Chairman Templar Advancement

Robert J. Sheridan, REPGC Aide-de-Camp to the Grand Prelate

Member of the Advisory Committee

William J. Berenbroick, REPGC Grand Commandery Coordinator for New Jersey

Eugenio Melendez, REHPGC Aide-de-Camp to Honorary Past Grand Master Thurman C. Pace, Jr.

Member of the Advisory Committee

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GRAND COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR STATE OF NEW JERSEY ONE HUNDERD FIFTY-SIXTH STATED CONCLAVE

1860-2016

The One Hundred Fifty-sixth Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey was convened at the Holiday Inn, Somerset, NJ on Saturday, March 5th , 2016 at 1:00 PM, the Grand Commander; Sir Knight Richard G. Robins presiding.The Grand Commander called upon Sir Knight Matthew Macready, Eminent Associate Grand Prelate to lead us in prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was given by all present. Right Eminent Grand Commander Robins, made his welcoming remarks. The Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder for a roll call of the Grand Officers and Constituent Commanderies.

ROLL CALL of GRAND OFFICERS

Richard G, Robins, Sr. (20) …………………………………………..…………. Grand Commander Richard A. Hammill (17) .……....………………...……………..………. Deputy Grand Commander Scott A. Gothe (13) …….…………...…………………..………..…...………. Grand Generalissimo Richard C. Amme (23) ..……..…………………..………….....……….......... Grand Captain General Mark E. Megee (23) …….……….………………..…..……………..………... Grand Senior Warden Matthew Macready (20) ....………..……………………...………………........ Grand Junior Warden William F. Drapczak (15) ……….…………………………………………..………. Grand Treasurer Dennis L. Stewart (15) ….………………………….………………………………... Grand Recorder Dennis W. Lacey (3)...…………….…………………………...…....………...………... Grand Prelate Neal E. Bottomley (15) ……………………………………...……………… Associate Grand Prelate Frank Bogdzio (23) ..……………………………………...…...……………... Grand Standard Bearer Lawrence D. Thoma (17) ….......……………...………………………………… Grand Sword Bearer Robert J. Crawford (15) ………………..………………………….……….…………. Grand Warder David R. Saunders (23) …............…...…………………………………….…………. Grand Sentinel Michael Shepherd (13) ……….……...……………………………………….............. Grand Marshal

ROLL CALL of CONSTITUENT COMMANDERIES Constituent Commanderies called in order were Hugh de Payens No.1, Helena No. 3, Cyrene No. 7, St. John’s No. 9, Olivet No. 10, Melita No. 13, Corson No. 15, Trinity No. 17, Atlantic No. 20 and Crusade No. 23. The Grand Recorder SK Dennis L. Stewart reported that all Grand Officers were present or excused and that all ten of the Constituent Commanderies were represented.

The Right Eminent Grand Commander asked SK Charles Runyan, Eminent Grand Inspector General, to form the lines for the Reception of our Masonic Leaders, and instructed SK Michael Shepherd Grand Marshal to present the Distinguished Guest and our visiting Delegations for reception.

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The following Officers were presented for Grand Line reception:

Red Cords and their Entourage

SK Randy S. Stevens, REGC, of the State of Connecticut; SK Getts, GCG, SK Charles A. McCollum, GSW, SK Stuart Kenneth Drost, REPGC

SK Kenneth A. Caldwell, REGC of the State of Maine SK Andrew C. Manimos, REGC, of States of Mass/RI; SK Eugene A. Capobianco, REPGC SK Robert M. Porter, REGC of the State of New Hampshire SK Charles M. Roberts, REGC of the State of New York; SK George Harrison, REPGC SK Nicholas Vaccarello, REGC of the State of Pennsylvania; SK Wilmer E. Hall, REPGC SK E. Lawrence Douglas, Jr., REGC of the State of Vermont SK J. B. Walsh, REGC of the State of Delaware SK Martin Trent, EGSW of the State of Ohio New Jersey Past Grand Commanders: SK Thurman C. Pace, Jr. MEHPGM (1976), SK William E. Sharp (2007), SK Ronald J. York (2008), SK William J. Berenbroick 2010), SK Robert J. Sheridan (2012), SK Douglas R. Policastro (2012), SK Herbert R. Wood (2013), SK John D. Barnes (2014), SK Edward Hesley, Sr. (Hon.) & SK M. Edward Verdi, II.

Holders of the Knights Templar Cross of Honor:

SK Robert Thornborugh (2005), SK Jeffrey R. Chan (2009), SK M. Edward Verdi, II (2010), SK Robert Maynard (2011), SK Richard A. Hammill (2012), SK Scott A. Gothe (2013), SK Alfred A. Chiappa (2014) & SK William M. Krzewick, III (2015)

Holders of the Knight Commander of the Temple

SK Thurman C. Pace, Jr., SK Edward A. Hesley, Sr.; SK Robert Thornborough,; SK Douglas R. Policastro, SK Robert Maynard; SK Richard G. Robins, SK John D. Barnes, SK Robert J. Sheridan, SK William E. Sharp, SK Herbert R. Wood, SK Ronald J. York, SK Brian H. Blades, SK Richard L. Bruyer, SK Richard A. Hammill, SK Robert J. Sheridan & SK Frank L. Blades, Sr.

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Grand Royal Arch Chapter

SK & Most Excellent Michael J. Maslanik, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New Jersey accompanied by SK & Right Excellent Grand King Douglas R. Policastro.

Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters

SK & Right Illustrious Mark E. Megee, Deputy Grand Master of the Most Puissant Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of New Jersey accompanied by SK & Right Illustrious Frank S. Rutkowski, Grand Principle Conductor of the Work.

Scottish Rite Supreme Council

SK & Illustrious Douglas R. Policastro, 33rd Degree, Active for the State of New Jersey Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America

Northeast Department SK James R. MaConnell, Right Eminent North Eastern Department Commander, of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America. SK Thurman C. Pace, Jr. Most Eminent Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America. SK Gerry Hamilton, Aide to the Grand Master of the Grand encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America. SK William D. Hartman, Right Eminent Grand Prelate representing SK Duane Lee Vaught the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.

They were escorted to the East by the Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey, SK Richard G. Robins through an Arch of Steel, the Grand Commander then thanked the Ambassadors Honor Guard for their service to the Grand Commandery of NJ and dismissed them. The Grand Commander, Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, asked the Associate Grand Prelate Sir Knight David Tucker to proceed with the Necrology Service.

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NECROLOGY SERVICE REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2015

Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” We as Christian Knights try to follow the teachings of Jesus, and as such we believe in the immortality of the soul and life everlasting. During the year 2015, we were saddened by the loss of twenty three (23) Sir Knights from our jurisdiction. S.K. John L. Allen Corson No. 15 S.K. Harry F. Anderson Hugh de Payens No. 1 S.K. William J. Buchanan Melita No. 13 S.K. Robert R. Burrell Corson No. 15 S.K. John H. Case Corson No. 15 S.K. Sivestro Chillemi St. John’s No. 9 S.K. Wylie Clark, Jr. Trinity No. 17 S.K. Warren J. Coles. Olivet No. 10 S.K. Frederick J. Eirlet Hugh de Payens No. 1 S.K. Robert C. Fischer Trinity No. 17 S.K. Robert E. Garvey, III Corson No. 15 S.K. Herbert G. Henn Hugh de Payens No. 1 S.K. Kenneth E. Kleeman Trinity No. 17 S.K. William L. Morris, Jr. Trinity No. 17 S.K. James Leppegard Melita No. 13 S.K. Samuel A. Neopolitano Melita No. 13 S.K. Frank P. Rapp Helena No. 3 S.K. Richard Reynolds Olivet No. 10 S.K. George M. Sandberg Hugh de Payens No. 1 S.K. Andrew D. Snellgrove Corson No. 15 S.K. William E. Stockum Crusade No. 23 S.K. John J. Thompson Corson No. 15 S.K. Henry C. Vanderosten Hugh de Payens No. 1 We had no Right Eminent Past Grand Commanders pass away this year. May all these Sir Knights rest in your eternal peace. Lord God, please watch over all our Fraters who have gone before us, protect and guide us in our Earthly endeavors, so that when it is our time we may be reunited with them and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Yours in Christ’s love, S.K. Dennis W. Lacey Grand Prelate

10 S.K. Richard G. Robins, REGC thanked Associate Prelate S.K. David Tucker for presenting the Grand Prelates Necrology Report and conducting the Service in his absence.

The Grand Commander, requested the Ladies and Non-Templar guests to retire at this time, and informed them that the Boutique is still open and every dollar you spend supports the “Holy Land Pilgrimage”.

The Grand Commander appointed S.K. Scott Gothe as his Protocol Officer and official timer for this Grand Conclave, to review any questions regarding Templar Law that may arise and to time all Speakers when required.

The Right Eminent Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder to read the Minutes of the 155th Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of New Jersey, held in Somerset, NJ on March 7, 2015 and all Special Conclaves that occured since that Conclave. The Grand Recorder, reported that the minutes of the 155th Stated Grand Conclave have been distributed and moved that they be adopted as distributed. The motion was seconded by S.K. John D. Barnes, passed by the members present and so ordered by the Grand Commander.

The Grand Commander then ordered that all reports other than the Grand Commandery Operating Budget, the Education Foundation Budget, the Grand Recorder's, the Grand Treasurer's, and the Grand Trustees’ Endowment Fund are hereby accepted as submitted. Those reports may be edited without affecting their content, and will be printed in the proceedings.

The Grand Commander then asked for the Grand recorder’s Report.

GRAND RECORDER’S REPORT for 2015

Almost all of the ten Constituent Commanderies submitted their Commandery Officers Report by the deadline of January 31, 2016. Almost all ten of the Constituent Commanderies submitted their Annual Report by the deadline of January 31, 2016. The Fiduciary Report deadline was extended due to changes in the reporting format introduced by the Finance Committee. This will be noted in the Treasurer’s Report as items not calculated.

Most of the Commandery Recorders were persistent at maintaining the Grand Encampment YRIS data base and in keeping me informed of the changes in their membership during the past year.

The Proceedings of the 155th Stated Conclave were published and posted on the Grand Commandery of New Jersey York Rite Website (www.knightstemplar.org/gckt/nj) and will be distributed to the Constituent Commanderies and Past Eminent Commanders, of New Jersey, Grand Encampment Officers and Grand Commanderies in the United States of America, plus Italy, Portugal, Philippines, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Two copies were sent to all Grand Recorders, one copy being designated for the Grand Representative from that state to New Jersey.

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http://www.knightstemplar.org/gckt/nj

MEMBERSHIP

We started the year 2015 with 848 members. Statistics for the year are:

Knighted = 28 Demitted = 26 Affiliated = 3 Suspended = 24 Restored = 9 Deceased = 24 Total Additions = 40 Total Losses = 74 Membership: 01/01/2015 = 848 Membership: 12/31/2015 = 793

For a net loss in 2015 of 34 Total membership, January 1, 2016 = 793

For a 4 % Loss in membership in 2015 down .7% from the previous year.

FINANCIAL

Operating Checking Account Balance as of January 1, 2015 = $11,130.35

Monies forwarded to the Grand Treasurer for the 2015 Chivalric year = $22,029.83

Orders drawn on the Treasury during the 2015 Chivalric year = $22,469.60

Reflecting a net profit/gain of $4,637.29 for fiscal year 2015. Checking Account Balance as of December 31, 2015 of $10,690.58

The monies forwarded to the Grand Treasurer represent only the funds passing through the Grand Recorders office, and do not include any other monies or interest, that may have been received.

General We have again sustained a loss of membership, slightly lower than last year by .7%. The membership statistics show we have a loss of four per cent (4%) of our total members during this past Chivalric Year. Although our Commanderies have been actively promoting membership by presenting York Rite Unity Programs and attendance at Blue Lodge functions. This approach has begun to pay off with our Blue Lodge Brethren displaying interest in our Illustrious Order and more Sir Knights joining our ranks. Unfortunately is has not been sufficient in keeping our numbers up as we have suffered losses amounting to twenty four (24) suspensions, twenty six (26) dimits and twenty four (24) deceased Knights this past Chivalric Year. We have an even longer way to go to bring our numbers up to the totals we had just ten years ago. There are still many of our Blue Lodge Brethren who are unaware of ouranimous and valiant order, we must continue to make a concerted effort through attendance at Blue Lodge functions, by wearing Class C Uniforms and promoting York Rite Unity presentations to make these prospective Knights Templar more informed of our precepts, concepts and comradery. I would like to take this opportunity to properly thank all the Sir Knights and Officers of this Grand Commandery for their aid and comfort to the Grand Recorder’s Office this past year.

Respectively submitted, S.K. Dennis L. Stewart Grand Recorder

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The Grand Commander thanked the Grand Recorder and called for a motion to accept the report. A motion was made by S.K. Richard A. Hammill, VEDGC; seconded by S.K. John D. Barnes, REPGC and carried in a vote by the members attending.

The Grand Commander asked the Eminent Grand Treasurer to present his report for the year of 2015.

GRAND COMMANDERY OF N .J. TREASURERS REPORT 2015

The TD Bank Checking Account Opening Balance on January 1, 2015 was $11,130.35. I received and deposited $22,029.83 in Accounts Receivable from the Grand Recorders Office for a Total revenue of $33.160.18. Checks were drawn for a Total of Accounts Payable of $22, 469.60; leaving a December 31, 2015 Balance of $10,690.58. This Operating Fund Balance includes funds to be transferred to General Fund Holding Accounts as follows: $2,314.25 for the Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund, $202.75 to the $175th / 200th Anniversary Fund and $500.00 to the Triennial Fund; for a Total Transfer of $3,017.00 to the General Fund.

The TD Bank General Fund Savings Account currently has in Holding Accounts: $16, 289. in the Holy Land Fund; $1,302.06 in the $175th / 200th Anniversary Fund; $100.31 in the Triennial Fund; $237.81 in the Commandery Officers & Wardens Fund (holding for future activation); $4,220.00 in the Un- accounted for Fund (in holding for future Endowment Fund Investment); $3.046.85 Endowment Fund’s Original Investment and earned interest of $36.01 amounting to a December 31, 2015 Closing Balance of $26,232.81.

The Wells Fargo Investors Endowment Fund Account Opening Market Value Balance on January 1, 2015 was $159,984.00. The December 31, 2015 Closing Balance was $156,168.00 reflecting a net loss of $3,816.00 (or 2.4 %). This loss reflects the current asset value of hodings after deductions of all associated operating fees. The Fund actually has grown 7.1 5 in Asset Value since it’s beginning in 2012 due to the diligence of the Wells Fargo Investors. The Grand Commandery Knights Templar of New Jersey Net Worth as of December 31, 2015 is reported as $193,091.09. Respectfully submitted, S.K. Wiliam F. Drapczak Grand Treasurer

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The following is a summary of the expenses and income for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of New Jersey for the Fiscal year 2015:

GRAND COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY GRAND TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE FISUAL YEAR 2015 ANNUAL STATEMENTS:

OPERATING ACCOUNTS:

CHECKING ACCOUNT T.D. BANK #4270920254

January 1, 2015 Balance $ 11, 130.05

Accounts Receivable 22,029.83

Total Revenue $33,159.88

Accounts Payable 22,469.60

December 31,2015 Balance $ 10,690.28

SAVINGS ACCOUNT T.D.BANK #0000476850352

Holy Land Fund $16,289.77

150/175 Anniversary fund 1,302.06

Triennial Fund 1,100.31

Cows (holding for future) 237.81

Unaccounted Fund 4,220.00

Endowment Fund (initial investment) 3,046.85

Savings Account Interest Earned 36.01

December 31, 2014 Balance $ 26,232.81

Endowment Fund - Wells Fargo Account #5985-6357

January 1, 2015 Balance = $159,984.00

December 31, 2015 Balance after Net Loss of $3,816.00 (2.4%) $156,168.00

(This loss reflects the current asset value of holdings after deduction of all associated

operating fees; the fund has grown 7.1% in asset value since it’s beginning in 2012)

Gr.Commandery Knights Templar of NJ net worth as of December 31, 2015 $193,091.09 Respectfully submitted: S.K. William F. Drapczak Grand Treasurer

The Grand Commander thanked the Grand Treasurer and called for a motion to accept the report. A motion was made by S.K. Richard C. Amme, GJW; seconded by S.K. Scott A. Gothe, GSW and

carried in a vote by the members attending. 14

The Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder, to present the Grand Trustees Report for the past year. The Trustees reported our Endowment fund opened the year with a market value balance of $161,365.00 with a net loss during the year of $5,198.00 reflecting a 3.2% loss in market value, ending the year with a market value balance of $156,168.00. It was noted that the fund has grown 7.1% in market value since December of 2011. The Grand Recorder moved to accept the report; a second was made by S.K. Scott Gothe and carried in a vote by the members attending.

The Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder, to present the Educational Foundations 2016 Budget. The Budget was presented. The Grand Recorder entered a motion to accept the report, a second was made by S.K. John D. Barnes and carried in a vote by the members attending. The Grand Commander asked Sir Knight Hammill to present the proposed budget for next year. The budget was presented by Sir Knight Hammill. Hearing no call for discussion, a motion to accept was entered by Sir Knight Dennis Stewart, seconded by Sir Knight John Barnes and duly carried.

The Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder for a roll call of the Eminent Commanders, and that they remain standing when their name was called. The Grand Recorder reported that all were present or accounted for. The Grand Commander thanked the Commanders for their hard work and dedication and called on the Sir Knights of the Conclave to give them a round of applause. The Grand Commander asked the Grand Recorder for a roll call of the Grand Representatives, and that they remain standing after being called. The Grnd Commander addressed those present and thanked them for their service to our Sister Jurisdictions and called for a round of applause. The Right Eminent Grand Commander asked for a few comments from Sir Knight and Right Illustrious Companion & Reverand Mark E. Megee, Deputy Grand Master of the Most Puissant Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of New Jersey, and Sir Knight and Most Excellent Companion Douglas R. Policastro, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New Jersey. They each spoke briefly on York Rite Unity. The Grand Commander thanked these Sir Knights for their service.

At this time the Grand Commander asked to hear from the visiting Grand Commanders (“Red Cords”) one of which who has been democratically selected by his peers to represent them. The Grand Commander than asked that they be made Honorary Members of this Grand Commandery. SK Richard A. Hammill moved to make the visiting Red Cords Members of this Grand Commandery, the motion was seconded by the Grand Recorder, SK Dennis Stewart, and passed in a vote by the members in attendance. The Grand Commander then asked the Past Grand Commanders of New Jersey to please present themselves Westof the Altar, Facing East, in order of “senility”. Those with the longest service to his right and most recent service to his left. As your name is called, please about face. After some confusion, appearing in order were Sir Knights Thurman C. Pace, Jr.; Frank L. Blades, Sr.; William E. Sharp; Ronald J. York; Edward A. Hesley, Sr.; Robert J. Sheridan; Douglas R. Policastro; Herbert R. Wood; John D. Barnes and M. Edward Verdi. Addressing the Grand Commandery, the Grand Commander stated: Sir Knights of New Jersey; these valiant and magnanimous Knights have served this Grand Commandery as our leaders, not just in the distant past, but in the here and now. I have been

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able to call on them for advice or action at any time, knowing that their love of Templary in general and of this Grand Commandery in particular would spur them on to do their best for us all. Sir Knights of the Purple Cord, we salute you. May we have a few very short remarks from one of you? S.K. Thurman C. Pace, Jr., HPGM remarked that he has celebrated his 92nd birthday and that this was his 53rd Annual Grand Conclave and spoke briefly on his association with these Past Grand Commanders and their zeal for Templary and Masonry in general. Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr, R.E.G.C., then appointed S.K. Douglas R. Policastro, REPGC as Chairman of the Committee on the Grand Commanders Address and turned command of the Grand Commandery over to Sir Knight Richard A. Hammill., V.E.D.G.C. for the presentation of his Grand Commanders Address to the Grand Commandery.

GRAND COMMANDERS ADDRESS

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Sir Knight Hartman, Sir Knight McConnell, Distinguished East and Sir Knights All: A wise man always starts his thank you’s with the most important person: I wil start by thanking my wife, Lady Cookie. Without her help and support this year would not have been as enjoyable as it was with her by my side!

Ialso want to thank SK Dennis Stewart, our Grand Recorder, he was always just a phone call way, ready to help me with any project or solve any problem. To myGrand Staff, especially the Elected Line, a great big Templar salute; I knew that you were right behind me, supporting me as we led this Grand Commandery. To the Past Grand Commanders, I want to publicly acknowledge the help and guidance you gave me throughout my year of service. I want to thank Sir Knights Rutkowski, Macready and Lanorith, who rode with me on so many dark and stormy nights as we wandered the back roads of New Jersey on our visitations. And to all the Sir Knights who served their Commanderies on all those evenings away from their families, I thank you as well! During this past year. I had the opportunity to visit almost all of our Commanderies officially, with many personal visits thrown in for good measure. I was always received warmly and made to feel that I was part of their Commandery – not just a visiting dignitary. It was my honor to represent this Grand Commandery at the Annual Conclaves of our sister jurisdictions of the Northeast Department as well as at the Easter Sunrise Service in Alexandria. It brought me grat joy to represent you at festive occasionstoo, such as the Knight Masons Gala in September. As part of our Templar duties, we held an Ascension Observance at the Masonic Home in Burlington and entertained the Home’s residents with our traditional Christmas Sing-a-long in December At the banquet tonight we will recognize several of our Sir Knights with well-deserved honors. The two Knights I have selected to join the Color Guard, the presentation of the Knight Templar Cross of Honor and all other awards will be made at that time. I will not spoil the surprise.

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I feel that I have accomplished some good things during my tenure as a Grand Officer. From the very beginning, I have urged you Sir Knights to wear the Class “C” Uniform whenever and wherever appropriate. It is easy advertising for our beloved Order. I’ve been approached at many Lodge meetings with questions about what I was wearing, especially this past year when I wore the Grand Commander’s Apron. Interest often leads to petitions. This past year, I emphasized wearing the proper Full Templar Uniform and learning the ritual and tactics of our opening ceremonies. It’s hard to feel like a Templar when you’re constantly looking down at a piece of paper. It’s difficult tp feel that you are a part of a well-knit unit if you are not in the same uniform as everyone else. This emphasis had the additional benefit of making our Asylums a place where new Sir Knights felt they had truly joined a body of Knights Templar not just another Masonic dinner club. The new knights are our future; if we ignore them or fail to reach them and teach them, we will lose them. The Elected Line and I worked with some of the struggling Commanderies throughout the State, sitting down with them, not just at their regular conclaves, but also at the Top 3 meetings and special sessions outside of an Asylum. We were always available to talk things through, to give advice and occasionally give orders when needed. My only recommention to the future REGC’s of New Jersey is to continue to work with the local Commanderies and the local Sir Knights, helping them to improve their ritual, their appearance and bearing and the over-all appearance of the Asylums. When we look act like true Knights Templar in a place that looks like a true Commandery we will be true Knights Templar!

Sir Knights, I thank you all for the opportunity to serve you this past year, it was an honor I will cherish for the rest of my life. I hope and pray that the future will be even brighter, bigger and better than the past.

This is not good bye, merely a changing of the guard. Yours in th service of Christ, S. K. Richard G. Robins, Sr.

SK Hammill, VEDGC called for a motion to accept the Grand Commander’s Elocution. Motion was made by SK Gothe, seconded by SK Barnes and carried in a vote by the members in attendance.

After the conclusion of the vote, Sir Knight Hammill, VEDGC, called upon Sir Knight Douglas R. Policastro, REPGC to present his report on the Elocution.

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Report of the Committee on the Grand Commanders Address

To the Right Eminent Grand Commander, Officers and Members of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey, in session at the 156th Annual Grand Conclave.

Your committee on the Address of the Grand Commander, has reviewed the elocution and report of the Grand Commander, his stewardship of the Grand Commandery as well as his general conduct

and demeanor over the past year.

Sir Knight Robins, we acknowledge with honor and pride both you and your elected and appointed officers for the year. Your officers supported you well in carrying out their duties as well as being with you on your visitations, in visiting Commanderies, and representing you upon your request. We note with pride and appreciation your extensive visitations to the Annual Conclaves of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, the Easter Sunrise Service in Alexandris and the Grand Encampment Triennial Conclave in Buffalo, New York. You also attended the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Prince Hall of New Jersey’s Annual Conclave, the Grand Royal Arch Festival, the visit of the Most Excellent Grand Chief of the United States and the Charte Installation of the Knights of St. Andrew. You were also the Installing Commander for the Annual Conclave of Crusade Commandery. You have stressed during your year the importance of learning our Ritual and not reading it as well as wearing the Class C Uniform on visitations to other Masonic bodies, hoping to attract their interest in our Masonic body. We hope that your Elected Line will follow your example. We are also pleased that you continued with the Ascension Day Service and Christmas Church Service with the sing along at the Masonic Home. It is always a joy for the residents to be able to participate with the Grand Commandery Officers. Your Grand Festival was a success as you were able to welcome twentyfive newly knighted into our Order and urge them to become positive contributors to the Commanderies they joined. Your Dispensations and Orders, being few in number, are referred to the By-Laws and Dispensation Committees for them to review and approve. It is noted that, the only recommendation that you made was for the future Right Eminent Grand Commanders to continue to work with the local Commanderies to improve the Ritual, their appearance and the overall appearance of their Asylums. As this recommendation requires no action on the part of this Grand Commandery, we would ask the Right eminent Grand Commanders to consider this going into the future. Sir Knight Richard Robins, REGC, we congratulate and complement you on the performance of your duties this past year. Your conduct and demeanor have been without reproach and you have certainly left your mark in a positive way. We welcome you as Past Grand Commander. May your Purple Cord continue to be well-traveled. In closing: well done thy good and faithful Sir Knight. May the blessing of Our Father in Heaven attend you and may you continue to wield your sword in support of the Christian Faith and this Grand Commandery ; and yes, Onward Christian Soldiers.

Respectfully submitted, Douglas R. Policastro, REPGC, KYGCH, KCT Chairman

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I move this report be received and spread in full upon the minutes and printed in the proceedings of this Grand Commandery. Sir Knight Richard A. Hammill, VEDGC, asked for a second to the motion to accept theReport on the Grand Commanders Address. The motion was seconded by Sir Knight Richardt A. Hammill, and passed in a vote by the membership. Sir Knight Richard A. Hammill, VEDGC returned command of this Grand Commandery to Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, REGC. SK Robins thanked SK Craver and SK Buono for their exceptional work in the Crusader Commandy revival. He also extended a hearty thank you to the Mt Calvary Grand Commandery, PHA for attending today and their hospitality and fraternalism in making him feel at home at their Annual.

Nominations and Election of Officers The Grand Commander, Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr. called on S K Franks for a report of the Credentials Committee. S K Franks reported there were eight Commandersseven Generalissimos, six Captain Generals, fifty one Past Commanders, two proxies for a total of seventy four eligible to vote; making thirty eight a majority. The REGC then announced that Nominations are about to be closed, Nominations are about to be closed, Nominations are closed! He then requested the Grand Recorder to review the nominations and announce the names in nomination for all positions. The Grand Recorder announced for the Office of Grand Commander, S.K. Richard A. Hammill; for the Office of Deputy Grand Commander, S.K. Scott A. Gothe; for the Office of Grand Generalissimo, S.K Richard C. Amme; for the Office of Grand Captain General, S.K. Rev. Mark E. Megee; for the office of Grand Senior Warden, S.K. Matthew R. Macready; for the office of Grand Junior Warden, two names; S.K. Ernest E. Fricks. and S.K. William M. Krzewick, III; for the office of Grand Treasurer, S.K. William F. Drapczak; for the office of Grand Recorder, S.K. Dennis L. Stewart; for the office of Director of the Endowment Fund for 3 years, S.K. Richard G. Robins, Sr. and for the office of Director of the Educational Foundation for 3 years, S K John D. Barnes. The Grand Commander asked SK Hammill who he would like to cast his unanimous ballot, the VEDGC chose SK Robert Maynard to cast his ballot. The Grand Commander asked for a motion to have the Grand Recorder cast a unanimous ballot for all those running unopposed. The motion was made by S.K. Gene Fricks, seconded by SK John Barnes and carried in a vote by the members in attendance.

The Grand Commander, Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr. then requested all of the elected officers to please rise and then to signify their acceptance by sitting down. He congratulated them. Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr., REGC called on the candidates for Grand Junior Warden S.K. Eugene Fricks. and S.K. WEilliam Krzewick to present themselves West of the Altar, allowing each two minutes to tell us why we should elect them. At the conclusion of the candidates’ biographical presentations the Grand Commander appointed S.K. Blades as Judge of Elections and S.K.’sPace and Sharpe as Tellers. REGC Robins instructed the balloters to mark Ballot #1 with either a G for Gene Fricks or a W for William Krzewick and instructed the tellers to collect the ballots, retire to thhe Northeast corner of the room, count them and report the results as soon as possible.

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At the conclusion of the balloting S.K. Eugene Fricks received 16 ballots and Sir Knight William Krzewick; III received 53 ballots. The Judge and Tellers were thanked for their service. The Grand Commander addressed SK Krzewick stating that he had been elected Grand Junior Warden of this Commandery and asking if he accepted.S K Krzewick answering yes, was declared elected as Grand Junior Warden and was congratulated. S K Robins called for last years Eminent Commanders to present themselves West of the Altar and were presented with certificates of service and given a round of applause.

The Grand Commander, Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr. asked for a few words from Sir Knight Richard A. Hammill while announcing his appointed officers for next year. S.K. Richard A. Hammill, REGC elect, listed his Appointed Grand Officers line for the ensuing Chivalric Year. They will be posted in the forthcoming 2017 General Order No. 1. S K Robins, REGC asked the assembly if there was any further business to come bbefore this Grand Conclave. Hearing none he asked if there were any announcements for the good of the order. Hearing none he announced that after the close of this session, and before the Banquet and Installation this evening the outgoing and in-coming officers are to exchange jewels of office and any other paraphernalia. The Order of Knight Preceptor will be conferred in the Concord room across the hall in about a half hour, followed by a leadership class given by S.K. William M. Krzewick, III. While that class is in session, a meeting of the Past Commanders and Grand Encampment officers will be held in the Hospitality Room. Adult beverages will be available. The Ladies Boutique will be open for another half hour, at which time they will be drawing the winning tickets. The Banquet and Installation will be held in this room, beginning at 7:00 P.M. The attitude adjustment starts at 6:00 P.M. No chapeaus, gloves or swords, except for the incoming officers and Honor Guard. There will be a 50/50 at the Banquet, with the proceeds to go to the Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund. The Grand Commanders’ Church Service will begin at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow morning in the Concord room.

S.K Robins, REGC called for a few words from S.K James McConnell, Northeast Department Commander; S.K. William Hartman, representing S.K. David Dixon Goodwin, M.E.G.M., KTUSA, and R.W. & S.K. Dieter Hees, DG.M. of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. All had brief encouraging remarks on the programs ahead and future of Templary and Masonry. S.K. Richard G. Robins, Sr., REGC addressed the Conclave, as the business of our Grand Commandery has been completed, I will now adjourn this Grand Conclave. Eminent Grand Warder, inform the Grand Sentinel that I am about to adjourn this Grand Conclave and direct him to guard accordingly. Grand Commandery – Attention - Un-cover. Eminent Associate Grand Prelate, lead our devotions. Sir Knights- re-cover. I now declare the 156th Stated Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey adjourned. Sir Knights you are dismissed.

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Grand Commandery Special Conclave

October 20, 2015 A.D. 897 A.O.

Plainfield Masonic Temple

SK Richard G. Robins, REGC: Convened a Special Conclave of the Grand Commandery of New Jersey at 9:00 AM, In the Masonic Temple, Park Avenue & 7th Street, Plainfield..After welcoming everyone, he proceeded to turn the Asylum over to the Sir Knights that were presenting the Orders, as it is going to be a long day. Twenty-eight (28) Candidates presented themselves to receive the Ordersof Knighthood as well as fifty-six (56) active Sir Knights in support of this valiant and magnanimous Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of New Jersey.

Order of the Red Cross

The Order of the Red Cross began at 9:20 a.m. and was completed at 9:40 a.m. followed by a brief recess to set up for the next order.

Order of Malta

The order of Malta started at 10:00 a.m and was finished at 10.35 p.m. After the Order of Malta was complete S.KRobins, REGC asked the Grand Marshal, S.K Michael Shepherd, to introduce the Gr.Officers past & present now assembled. Sir Knight Robins, REGC, spoke on how the Orders were moving along in a timely manner, and that those not involved in the Orders could retire and have lunch to keep everything on schedule. The Chamber of Reflection was completed before lunch was served to the candidates. The Sir Knights and Candidates, retired to the lunchroom for a very fine lunch, provided by Lady Sharon Lutz and her assistants.

Order of the Temple

At 12:30 PM, the Grand Commandery Special Conclave was reconvened and the Order of the Temple was conferred beginning at 12:50 p.m. and was completed at 2:45 p.m. After the Orders were complete the Grand Commander S.K. Richard G. Robins, Sr., thanked the Sir Knights for doing a very find presentation of the Orders and welcomed the twenty-eight (28) new Sir Knights into our magnanimous order. The Grand Commander, thanked everyone and Adjourned the Emergent Grand Conclave at 3:00 p.m. A $150 donation was made to the Trustees of Jerusalem Lodge No. 23 for the use of their building and $240 was collected for the Holy-Land Pilgrimage Fund, after all luncheon bills were paid.

Attest:-

S.K. Richard C. Amme Grand Captain General

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Committee Reports 2015

To the Grand Commander, Officers and members of this Grand Commandery of New Jersey: Greetings: Membership Committee: The Commandery still continues to promote Templary through out the State. A program suitable for presentation in a Masonic Lodge has been put together by S.K. Mark Megee and others that exposes the Brothers to the other three bodies of the York Rite and has produced some petitions. Also, the Knights of Corson Commandery continue making presentations in Lodges, which have also resulted in new petitions. Although we take in members they are off-set by losses through various reasons, however we are in a positive state. More progress needs to be made, but we are moving in the right direction. York Rite Unity Committee: There has been no active meeting between the York Rite Bodies this past year although personal contact is still on-going. As noted in the Membership report, programs have been instituted which promote all three York Rite bodies to the Brothers of the Symbolic Lodges, in an effort to increase the membership of all the bodies. To my knowledge, the schedules of ME Grand High Priest, MI Grand Master, and the RE Grand Commander did not conflict, allowing the Companions and Sir Knights to attend any Official Visit that their Cable-tow permitted. By-Laws Committee: There has been By-Law changes submitted for approval. The Constitutional changes were approved and posted. Respectively Submitted SK Richard A. Hammill, VEDGC

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Asylum and Tactics Committee Report

To the Grand Commander, Officers and members of this Grand Commandery of New Jersey: Greetings: There were no changes to be made to Asylum Tactics for this Chivalric Year. All activates were under the direction of the Grand Inspector Generals, S. K. Charles Runyon and S.K. Newlin R. Williams. S.K. Runyon, assisted by S. K. Richard C. Amme, the Grand Captain-General, conducted an excellent Festival this past October. Any other details concerning Tactics will be covered in the Grand Inspector General’s Report. I continue to urge the Sir Knights to adorn their Asylums with appropriate Templar material. We are our own Order, and should represent ourselves to all visitors as such. Show your pride in Templary! The Grand Encampment has issued an up-dated Tactics manual, and all Constituent Commanderies should obtain copies as soon as possible. Please disregard the old manuals. Respectfully Submitted, S. K. Richard C. Amme Grand Captain General Chairman

Holy land Pilgrimage Committee Report

To the Grand Commander, Officers and members of this Grand Commandery of New Jersey: Greetings: No Commandery nominated a clergy member to travel to the Holy Land this past year. I urge all the Sir Knights and all the Commanderies to support this worthy cause. It is a direct application of our duty to be charitable, and a clear demonstration of our faith. All monies for this charity are handled by the Grand Recorder, and will be included in the financial portion of his report. Respectfully Submitted, S. K. Richard C. Amme Grand Captain General Chairman

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Eye Foundation Committee Report

To the Grand Commander, Officers and members of this Grand Commandery of New Jersey: Greetings: Charity is one of the tenets of our Order, and what better way to show it than by helping others! I urge all the Sir Knights, and all the Commanderies, to support this very worthy endeavor. All monies for this charity are handled by the Grand Recorder, and will be included in the financial portion of his report. Respectfully Submitted, S. K. Mark Megee Grand Senior Warden Chairman

Points System Committee Report

To the Grand Commander, Officers and members of this Grand Commandery of New Jersey: Greetings: Based on the points properly submitted by our Eminent Commanders, the top three Commanderies with their respective points are:

1) Trinity, No. 17 974 points 2) Crusade, No. 23 909 points 3) Saint John’s No. 9 848 points

The purpose of the System is to provide the current and future Commander with a sense of what areas need improvement and what areas merely need to be fine-tuned concerning the activities of their Commandery. These points are not being tallied to see how good a job an individual Commande is doing, but to recognize how much their Commanderies are participating in Templary. That only half the Commanders chose to submit a report this year should reflect badly Respectfully Submitted, S. K. Scott A. Gothe Grand Generalissimo, Chairman

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Report of the Committee on Patriotic and Civic Activities

To the Right Eminent Grand Commander and the Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery of New Jersey;

Greetings;

Only two Commanderies reported on their activities for the past Templar Year. Helena Commandery #3 scheduled a food drive at the Acme Super Market. It went well considering the mini-blizzard they experienced. They garnered 13 shopping carts filled with food donations and they emotionally overwhelmed the Volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul’s local food bank when they brought several pick-up trucks filled with food to the Church Outreach Center. Flyers were handed out containing the names of our York Rite Bodies. Crusade Commandery #23 reported that they participated in several Community Events, such as NJ Polar Bear Plunge (for the Special Olympics) as well as visits to the NJ State Veteran’s Home, donating a wheelchair to a Veteran at the Home and participating in Honor Guards throughout the State. I am certain that other Commanderies took action, such as participating or assisting at ARC, or Special Olympics events; but they were not reported. Please remember the old axiom: If it’s not written down, it never happened. Please take time to report all activity. Respectfully submitted, SK and Rev. Mark E. Megee Grand Junior Warden

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Grand Historians Report

“The perfect historian is he in whose work the character and spirit of an age is exhibited in miniature.” Far from being the perfect historian and there being absolutely no written criteria or job description for the position of Grand Historian of the Grand Commandery, I have taken it upon myself to give my perceptions and interpretations of the current state of both the Profane and Masonic world. A very brief contemporary account to give a bird’s-eye view of our times to future Masonic Historians. The year 2014, one hundred years after the beginning of World War I, “the war to end all wars.” Well, we’re still at war. We call this era “the age of information.” Unfortunately, most of the information is erroneous. Technology meant to simplify life, has made it more complicated. Of course, average life expectancy has increased, and there are a lot of really good shows on TV. Culturally and sociologically we are about to enter the “Dark Ages.” When people finally tear them-selves away from their communication devices, they talk to fast. Airplanes are consistently landing at the wrong airports and people driving cars seem to have forgotten how to use their turn signals. Terms like “excuse me” or “I beg your pardon”, are met with looks of bewilderment and non-comprehension. During the height of the Roman Empire, ignorance was fed with bread, and circuses, today its credit cards and the internet. Cornwallis, after his defeat, marched out of Yorktown to the tune of “The World is Turned Upside Down.” Freemasonry in New Jersey is turned upside down today. Instead of the Fraternity influencing the profane world, the opposite is true. Here’s a familiar contemporary quote circulating throughout our state, “If we don’t change our ways, we’re out of business!” I guess when we incorporated, we became a business. We have allowed the profane world to cross our thresholds and enter our lodge rooms. It’s easy to keep tobacco and alcohol out, you can see them. Originally lodges of Speculative Freemasons were formed to encourage open liberal secular discussions. Three hundred years later, I’ll probably be on somebody’s list for using the “L” word. Freemason used to mean “free thinker.” In 2014 we have two situations; the first one, a declining number of initiations. This is caused by a self-inflicted lobotomy. Every successful organization has a recruiting program to get the best people. We have none. The second situation confronting us is poor attendance. This is a very interesting phenomenon. We’ve had this problem for a generation or approximately 25 years. I see two reasons for this. Previously the fraternity experienced a post-World War II surge in membership, sort of like the Economic Bubble that exploded in 2008. Our membership bubble exploded and what we now have is statically closer to normal. That doesn’t explain all of it. When I first joined the Fraternity over 20 years ago, I did a lot of research on my own, just like most of our new members do today. There was a true spirit of brotherly love that seems to have gone sour particularly in the last decade. I call it the “Profane Invasion.” Whether in the banquet hall or even in open lodge, these new guys are bombarded by political or religious dogma, which is often inaccurate. They joined to get away from that stuff. That’s one reason they don’t come back. The conversation is no different than around the water cooler at work. The Lodge is meant to be a sort of “neutral zone”, a place to hone the intellect, expand the circle of our acquaintances, sit down with each other and have a good meal, get away from the outside world for a little bit, recharge our batteries, go forth and practice freemasonry in our communities. This is not happening. This is why the new guys don’t come back. We don’t practice what we preach. This is what they discover after just a few meetings. So there you have it my future brother historian. I leave you my brief perceptions and interpretations for the year of our Lord 2015, hoping that by 2115 people can still read. One thing I know will not change; no institution was ever founded on a better principle or raised on a more solid foundation. Fraternally submitted, Michael J. Maslanik Grand Historian

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Area (District) Realignments Grand Commander’s Banquet

and Installation of Officers

Saturday, March 5, 2016

The banquet was attended by 120, Sir Knights, their Ladies, Family and Friends.

At 7:00 PM, the Grand Commander Sir Knight Richard G. Robins, Sr. welcomed everyone on behalf of the Grand Commandery as well as Lady Cookie and himself thanking all for taking the time to be here. He requested all to rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance asking S.K. Bottomley, Associate Grand Prelate to lead our invocation. After the Flag Salute, SK Robins acknowledged his family members with us this evening and encouraged all to enjoy their first course and wonderful table mates. Sir Knight Robins called on the representatives of DeMolay and Rainbow who each spoke briefly on their organizations aims and goals. Following them S.K. Robins, REGC asked S.K. Sheridan to speak on behalf of the Scottish Rite also MI Companion Megee, GM and ME Companion Maslanik, GHP to speak for their York Rite bodies. Sir Knight Newlin Williams presented the Honors Program, the “Missing Man Ceremony”. SK Richard G. Robins took this time to remark on the service award instituted last year by REPGC Barnes, relating that like the Junius C. Schmidt Award of the Grand Chapter and the Harold D. Eliot Award of the Grand Council, the Color Guard designation is meant to be a special and selective acknowledgement of service to this Grand Commandery. It is to be given to Knights of our Jurisdiction who have given of themselves over the years who might otherwise never receive proper recognition, who might never earn the Cross of Honor or Knight Commander of the Temple. He went on to explain its ensign is a black and white shoulder cord, evoking the black and white of our battle flag, the Beauceant. The Color Guard of old was charged with defending that flag with their lives, it was the rallying point during the caos of battle and its capture would signify defeat and bring shame to our Order.That is why only the bravest, strongest, most trusted Knights were placed in defense of the Beauceant. SK Robins, REGC calling on SK Michael Shepherd, Grand Marshall to bring this years recipients to the Dais. Addressing Sir Knights Dennis Steart and Donal Franks he ststed it is my pleasure to select the two of you to receive this honor, you are in very distinguished company. It is your hard work and dedication to duty that have earned you this honor – please keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to us all. SK Robins requested all members of the Color Guard to rise and called for a hearty round of applause.

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At this time REGC Robins asked SK McConnell, NEDC for a few words, followed by a request of SK Hartman, representing MEGM Goodwin RW Dieter Hees, representing the Grand Master of Masons of NJ. SK Richard G. Robins, Sr., REGC gave a short exit speech thanking everyone closing with a toast to the Grand Commandery of NJ. SK Robert Sheridan was requested to assume command as the Installing Grand Commander and the Ceremony of Installation was performed. SK Richard G. Robins, Sr., Thanked everyone for attending and reminded them of the Church Service tomorrow at 9:00 AM. and of the 45ers Meeting immediately following and that the Hospitality Room will be open until 11:30 PM. SK Neal E. Bottomley, Associate Grand Prelate gave the closing prayer. SK Richard G. Robins, Sr. exited the Asylum at 9:00 PM under the customary Arch of Steel.

Grand Conclave of New Jersey Divine Church Service

Sunday March 6th , 2016

A Divine Service was held on Sunday Morning, conducted by S.K. John D. Barnes, PGC, KCT, Associate Grand Prelate. There were 25 Sir Knights and their Ladies in attendance. The collection offering amounted to $150.00, to be deposited into the Holy-Land fund.

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GRAND ENCAMPMENT HONORS

The Grand Encampment has a program of Honors which has two levels. Knight Grand Cross of the Temple and Knight Commander of the Temple. This program gives the Grand Encampment a way for honoring Sir Knights who have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavor. It does not limit itself to Masonry alone, but to qualify, a person must be a KnightTemplar. The recipients receive an engraved Patent and Jewel. The jewel may be worn on the uniform or on a tuxedo. The recipients may also use the letters KGC or KCT after their names; they should be introduced along with the Knights Templar Cross of Honor holders.

The following Sir Knight from New Jersey has been honored by being designated a,

Knight Grand Cross of the Temple.

Thurman C. Pace, Jr.

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The following Sir Knights from New Jersey have been honored by being designated a,

Knight Commander of the Temple

Richard C. Amme Eugenio Melendez John D. Barnes Donald D. Miller

Frederick J. Berenbroick Francis R. Mitchell William J. Berenbroick Thurman C. Pace, Jr.

Brian H. Blades Makia L. Pai Frank L. Blades, Sr. Douglas R. Policastro Richard L. Bruyer Richard G. Robins, Sr. Emil P. Busko Robert E. Schultz John J. Corrigan William E. Sharp Owen R. Henry Robert J. Sheridan

Richard Hammill Robert Thornborough Edward A. Hesley, Sr. Herbert R. Wood Michael F. Lakat Ronald J. York Robert Maynard Alvin L. Zach, Jr.

32

NEW JERSEY RECIPIENTS OF THE

KNIGHT TEMPLAR CROSS OF HONOR

“The award shall be made for exceptional and meritorious service rendered to the Order, far beyond the call of Duty, and beyond the service usually expected of an officer or member.” 1997 Donald W. Burdick Trinity No. 17 2000 John E. McDowell Crusade Mo. 23 2002 John F. Driscoll Atlantic No. 20 2004 Eugenio Melendez Trinity No. 17 2005 Robert Thornborough Olivet No. 10 2006 John B. Kulik Helena No. 3 2007 Robert W. Bates Cyrene No. 7 2008 Frederick E. Schlosser Corson No. 15 2009 Jeffery R. Chan Hugh dePayens No. 1 2010 M. Edward Verdi II Melita No. 13 2011 Robert M. Maynard Trinity No. 17 2012 Richard A. Hammill Trinity No. 17 2013 Scott A. Gothe Melita No. 13

33

HUGH de PAYENS COMMANDERY NO.1 Masonic Temple, 129 Main St.

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 Meets the Fourth Monday of each month, except July and August

and December and Legal Holidays

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Edward R. Kotwica Treas. Klaus Angermueller Gen. Robert E. Thompson Rec. Jeffrey R. Chan C.G. George Cameron St. B. Patrick N. Ben S.W. Robert D. Opicci Sw. B. Thomas M Rensvold J.W. Manuel Lizarazouribe War. John A. Driscoll Prel. Roy L. Lehmann Sen. Michael D. Costello

LIVING PAST COMMANDERS

Harold B. Johnson Frederick J.Berenbroick Marchall J. Pelz Robert F. Wright Frederick I. Waldron Klaus Angermeuller Joseph A. Peloso Peter Skerchock Patrick N. Ben John W. Terhune Roy L. Lehmann Hansel F. Asmar John A. Driscoll William J. Berenbroick Thomas M Rensvold Lyle Badger Paul M. Ferreira Michael D. Costello William C. Ennis, Jr. Jeffrey R. Chan Edward R. Kotwica

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 10- Clarence Avent - Bryan Bowden – Richard Bulwin – Gary McCory – Thomas Opicci - Rocco Pasquinucci – Christopher Provost –Scott Schneider – Walter Siri – Marvin Williams AFFILIATED: 0 – REINSTATED: 0 – DEMITTED: 4 – James Batista – Kevin Colonna – Manuel Lizazarouibe – Peter Skerchock SUSPENDED: 5 – Hansel Ansmar – Joseph Ferrab – Thomas Galan – Gregory Loconti – Rafael Martinez DIED: 5-Harry Anderson – Frederick Eirlet – Herbert Henn – George Sandberg – Henry Vanderosten PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 109 12/31/2015

40

HELENA COMMANDERY NO.3

Mt. Holly Masonic Temple, 15 Garden Street Mt. Holly, Burlington County

Meets the Third Thursday of Odd numbered months, except July and August & Dec.

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Derek Colquhoun Treas. Robert S. Middleton Gen. Jeffrey L. Alexander Rec. Jeffrey L. Alexander C.G. Paul Rivas St. Bearer KennethT. Rafferty S.W. Frederick Morse Sw. B. Robert T. Dyson J.W. Shaun C. Bozarth War. Steven Martin Prel. Robert N. Stutz Sen. Paul D. Loveland, Jr.


Clifton R. Morgan Robert S. Middleton Dennis W. Lacey Maurice S. Keirstead Francis G. Spence Robert A. Bowen, Jr. John T. Tomkinson, Sr. John B. Kulik Jeffrey L. Alexander Donald D. Miller Charles William Gray Makia Pai Paul D. Loveland, Jr. Daniel C. Adamo Derek Colquhoun

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 0 - AFFILIATED: 1 – Steven Young. REINSTATED: 0 - DEMITTED: 0 – SUSPENDED: 0 –

DIED: 1 – Frank Rapp

PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 55 12/31/2015

41

CYRENE COMMANDERY NO. 7 Clarksboro Masonic Temple, 181 W. Cohawkin Road

Clarksboro, Gloucester County Meets the Third Thursday of each month, except July and August

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Steven M, Smereglia Treas. William E. Sharp, PC Gen. Daryll J. Slimmer Rec. Edward A. Hesley, Sr. PC C.G. Michael Cefaratti, III St. Bearer Charles A. Warfield S.W. James Earle Sw. B. Joseph Sauro J.W. Harry May III War. Bruce E. Campbell, Sr. Prel. Edwin E. Beaver, PC Sen. Frank Vit


Owen R. Henry Charles P. Runyan Harry S. May,III Robert W. Bates Emil P. Busko Bruce E. Campbell Sr. Richard Sowers Edward A. Hesley, Sr. James N. Earle James McFarland, Jr. William E. Sharp Steven M. Smereglia Edwin E. Beaver Van R. Powely

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 0 – AFFILIATED: 0- REINSTATED: 0- DEMITTED: 1 - Frank Lee Blades, Sr. REPGC SUSPENDED: 2 – Joseph M. Gates – Javier A. Trejos

DIED: 0 –


42

ST. JOHNS COMMANDERY NO. 9 Under Didprnsation at Union, NJ

Meets the Fourth Thursday of each month, except July and August

2014 OFFICERS

Comm. John T. Lindson, Jr Treas. Maxim G. Marcille, Jr. Gen. Antonio Abano Rec C. K Leverett C.G. Victor C. Moschella St. B. Ronald D. Hunte, Jr S.W. Edmund E. Agatep Sw. B. Scott P. Berk J.W. Dirk B. Weber War. Jason O. Spear. Prel. Emery A. Enz Sen. Mark S. Enz


Richard E. Yard Alvin L. Zack, Jr. Brian H. Blades Soren J. Thomsen Joseph F. Musil, Jr. Robert G. Woods Emery A. Enz Herbert R. Wood Mark S. Enz Robert E. Schultz Emil W.Habeeb Alfred Chiappa Thomas Cornell Maxim G. Marcille, Jr. George Petranponakis

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 5 – Richard j. Barone – Scott P. Berk – Raymond E. Kappel – Peter Kurinzi – Jason O. Spear AFFILIATED: 0 - REINSTATED: 1 - Raymond E. Weaver, Jr. DEMITTED: 3 - Philip Donnelly – Michael J. Hitchner – Sean H. McNorton SUSPENDED: 9 – Gabriel Aguire – Anthony Beluch – Douglas Burt – Andrew S. Chiappa – Richard J. Chiappa - Gary G. Long – Jorge C, Sanchez – Daniel Schittone – William C. Weber DIED: 1 – Silvestro Chillemi PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 84 12/31/2015

43

Olivet COMMANDERY NO.10 Masonic Temple, 1550 Landis Ave. Vineland, Cumberland County

Meets the Third Tuesday of each month, except July, August and December

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Charles Taylor Treas. Robert Thornborough Gen. Charles Dewoody Rec. Newlin R. Williams C.G. George Loper. III St. Br Edward D. Bauer, IV S.W. Vincenzio Macreano Sw. B . Michael Maslanic J.W. Ryan C. Bailey War. Paul A. Stevens Prel. David Madera Sen. Craig Applebaum


Edward Abbott Richard Westergaard Robert Thornborough Thomas Riggio Paul Stevens David T. Wheaton, Sr Barry R. Ballurio, Sr. Newlin R. Williams MichaelMaslanik . Dennis Huey David Madera

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 2 - Thomas F. Engstrom, Jr. – George M. Reeves, Jr. AFFILIATED: 0 - REINSTATED: 0 - DEMITTED: 1 – Justin Falciani SUSPENDED: 1 – Barry R. Ballurio, Jr.

DIED: 2 – Warren J. Coles – Richard Reynolds

PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 44 12/31/2015 44

MELITA COMMANDERY NO. 13 Masonic Temple, 39 Maple Ave. Morristown

Morris County Meets the Third Wednesday of each month, except, July, August and December

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Tony Shakkour Treas. Scott Gothe Gen. Michael F. Shepherd Rec. M. Edward Verdi II C.G. Vincent Gruccio St. B. Marco A. Ruiz-Perez S.W. John H. Thomas Sw. B. Gary Stoess J.W. David A. Reed War. Charles F. Cheetham Prel. Joseph Hodgkins Sen. Joseph Dumanov


GeorgeJ. Sanderson Paul A. Werner Harry R. Pool, Jr. Carl J. Carlson Samuel H. Morgan Charles J.Cheetham John R. Margroff Douglas A. Houskeeper Suhail Jarrousch James Vander Veer Gary A. Stoess Scott A. Gothe M. Edward Verdi, II Glenn C. Cheetham Michael F. Shepherd Richard Forman Tony Shakkour

2015

Statistics KNIGHTED: 0 – AFFILIATED: 0 - REINSTATED: 0 - DEMITTED: 0 - SUSPENDED: 4 - William R.Chadwick – Patrick W. Conroy – Daniel Murasko – Robert J. Urban

DIED: 3 - William J. Buchanen – James Leppegaard – Samuel A. Neopolitano PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 96 12/31/2015

45

CORSON COMMANDERY NO.15 Masonic Temple, 152 Maple Ave.

Red Bank, NJ Meets the Second Thursday of each month, except July, August and December

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Daniel E. Terry Treas. Willian F. Drapczak Gen. Neal E. Bottomley Rec. Dennis L. Stewart C.G. Denis W. Johnson St. B. Christopher M. Heale S.W. Edward P. Stawicki Sw. B. Sean T. Moroney J.W. John W. Lord War. John D. Koratzanis Prel. Darren Gibson Sen. Richard Crosby


Douglas R. Policastro Michael L. Hawks Dennis L. Stewart William F. Drapczak Robert T. Bell, Jr. Clifford D. Heller Francis S. Rutkowski Lawrence R. Jacobs John J. Keating Joseph C. Mc Cann Robert J. Crawford Neal E. Bottomley

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 6 – Frank Carlevale – Michael Carlevale – James A. Haag – Christopher M. Curcia – Dhun B, Patel – Okief A. Robb AFFILIATED: 0 - REINSTATED: 0 - DEMITTED: 3 – Greg Christensen - John A. Fudge – Richard M. Baumgardt SUSPENDED: 3 - Edward W. Adamek – Lawrence E. Larsen – Roger Maurer DIED: 6 – John L. Allen – Robert R, Burrell – John H. Case – Robert E. Garvey, III – Andrew D. Snellgrove – John J. Thompson PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 110 12/31/2015

46

Trinity COMMANDERY NO.17 Stationed at 1011 Central Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090

Warrant Dated: June 26, 1889 Meets the Third Monday of each month, except July and August

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. Richard D. Forman Treas. Richard L. Bruyer Gen. Lawrence D. Thoma Rec. William M. Krzewick, III C.G. Michael L. Canavan St. B. Colin A.F. Gaskin S.W. Nicholas L. Paone Sw. B. Richard Flanagan J.W. Raymond Ortiz, II War. Joseph Gal Prel. Brian H. Blades Sen. Barry J. Cummings


Thurman C. Pace, Jr. Robert A. Tilkey Donald W. Burdick Frank L. Blades, Sr. Peter Yurecko John D. Barnes Robert Wegner Eugenio “Mel” Melendez Ronald J. “Bud” York Scott Wiese William L. Morris, Jr. Paul M. Ferreira John J. Corrigan Robert B. Maynard Richard W. Brewster William M. Krzewick, III Piers A. Vaughan M. Edward Verdi II Richard A. Hammill Robert J. Morton Lawrence R. Jacobs Mario J. Bolanos, Jr. Richard L. Bruyer Moises I Gomez John A. Braun Lawrence D. Thoma

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 2 - Nicholas B. DiDolce – Robert Windisch AFFILIATED: 0 - REINSTATED: 0 - DEMITTED: 4 - Anthony L. Genneta – Paul M. Ferreira – Euginio Melendez – Stevphan J. Wisiniewski SUSPENDED: 0 -

DIED: 4 – Wylie Clark, Jr. – Robert C. Fischer – Kenneth E. Kleeman – William L. Morris, Jr.


47

ATLANTIC COMMANDERY NO. 20 Masonic Temple, 401 Parkertown Dr.

Little Egg Hrbr. Twp., NJ Meets the Second Wednesday of each month, except Jul., Aug. & Dec.

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. David Bruner Treas. Matthew Macready Gen. Darren Gibson Rec. Donald Franks C.G. Robert J. Sheridan St. Br. Albert Davenport S.W. Joseph Avanti Sw. B. Paul Best J.W. Albert Davenport War. Jack Lanorith Prel. Frank Rotkowski Sen. Richard Robins


Robert S. Uhl Jay Arabia Robert J. Sheridan William Bateson(Hon) Robert Schiffer William E. Sharp Richard Robins Donald E. Franks Matthew Macready David Tucker Paul Best

2015 Statistics

KNIGHTED: 1- Ronald Manear AFFILIATED: 1 – Justin Falciani REINSTATED: 1 – Charles Robinson DEMITTED: 1 – Charles Kirkbride SUSPENDED: 1 - John Luckinbill DIED: 0- PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 41 12/31/2015

48

CRUSADE COMMANDERY NO. 23 Haddonfield Masonic Temple, 16 Kings Hwy

Haddonfield, Camden County Meets the First Thursday of each month, except July, August and December

2015 OFFICERS

Comm. John W. Bernhardt Treas. Lee A.Grimes

Gen. Frank Bogdzio Rec. David M. Berkey C.G. Joseph A. Buono St. B. John R. Corliss S.W. John Zioance Sw. B. Ronald Herzog J.W. Vincent L. Baehr War. Lawrence W. Craver Prel. Richard C. Amme Sen. Jay Belis


Ronald W. Brining Earnest E. Fricks Emil P. Busko William C. Godfrey Raymond C. Thorne Russell T. Carvin, Jr. Albert C. Hann Richard C. Amme Peter M. Destefano David M. Berkey Lee A. Grimes David R. Saunders George R. Saunders Mark Megee Frank A. Bogdzio 2015

Statistics KNIGHTED: 2 – Jeffrey Bilger – Paul Schmeck AFFILIATED: 1 – Lawrence Craver REINSTATED: 6 – Francis J. Conway – Dean F. Ruble – Robert A. Buck – Brian J. Read – Eugene Bathurst – Brian Lutz DEMITTED: 8- John M. Zioance – Mathew Toth – Kenneth Pierce – Rodney J. Newman – Russell T. Carvin, Jr. – Mickey Garducci – Dorsey Weikert, III – Henry J. Rahn, Jr. SUSPENDED: 16 – Alex LaCroce – Greg Adams – Clarence E. Musselman – Mathew N, Calio – Robert Ristow – Tinothy Ristow – Henry S, Rudolph – JesseChang – John F. Greer – Jerry Albrecht - Kenneth F. Carpenter – Vincent Baer – Marcus Severs – Raymond Wilson DIED: 1 - Willaim E. Stockum PRESENT MEMBERSHIP: 5 7 12/31/2015 49

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES TO NEW JERSEY FROM: State/Country Representative Residence Alabama James David Glenn 1311 Stuart Ave. SW, Decatur, AL 35601 Arizona Frank Belluardo 4731 Calle Chico, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 Arkansas Carl M. Phillips 1015 West Semmes Avenue, Osceola, 72370 California Howard W. Ramsey 5160 Poston Dr., San Jose, CA 95136-3320 Colorado Stanley A. Gardner 1629 Garwood Dr., Pueblo, CO 81005 Connecticut Charles D. O’Neil 23 Forty Acre Mountain Rd., Danbury, CT 06811 Delaware Rev. James R. Herrington 324 Stamford Dr., Newark, DE 19711 District of Columbia John C. Werner, II 8907 Southwick Street, Fairfax, VA 22031 Florida Harry A. Rosenthal, Jr. 329 Bradock Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32018 Georgia Storey A. Tate 1545 Storey Lane, Jefferson, GA 30549 Idaho James G. Cox 11327 N. Friar Dr., Hayden, ID 83835 Illinois Earl F. Wys 2625 N. Woodland Dr, Peoria, IL 61604 Indiana LarryE. Gray 2250E.CR 550N., Greenfield, IN 46140 Iowa Marion L. Reinhardt 6601 Bowman Court, NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Italy Aurelio Salsi Via Vespucci 22. 10128 Torino, Italy Kansas David F. Snyder 820 N. Old Manor Road, Wichita, KS 67208 Kentucky Raymond Swanson 2403 Elcler Pic Rd., La Grange, KY 40031 Louisiana Roy B. Tuck 3378 Savage Forks Road, Leesville, LA 71446 Maine Robert W. Ferguson P.O. Box 97, Springvale, ME 04043 Maryland Thomas Heimiller 12702 Lee Ben Road, Kingsville, MD 21087 Mass. & R.I. Richard W. VanDoren 53 Wintergreen Way, Groton, MA 01450 Michigan William J. Dover 2257 N. Vassar Road, Burton, MI 4850 Minnesota George A. James 11751 West River Hill Dr. #315, Burnsville, MN 55337 Mississippi Robert L. Davis 2238 Wood Street, Tupelo, MS 38801 Missouri Blair C. Mayford 14 Duffy Court St. Peters, MO 63370

50

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES TO NEW JERSEY FROM: State/Country Representative Residence Montana Earl A. Martin, Jr. 3600 American Way #236, Missoula, MT 59808-1377 Nebraska William K. Stone 11809 S. 53rd St., Papillion, NE 668133 Nevada David J. Baba 1290 Westwood, Reno, NV 89509 New Hampshire Edward M. Younker 49 W. Broadway, Derry, NH 03038 New Mexico Dickerson R.Watkins 602 Mesilla Street, NE Albuquerque, NM 87 108-2048 New York George Alvin Harrison 187-05 Williamson Ave., Springfield Gardens, NY 11413 North Carolina Roger L. Cook 2509 Torbay Ct., Raleigh, NC 27613 North Dakota Martin R. Bless 1833 N. Washington Street, Bismark, ND 58501 Ohio Charles L. Paine 51304 SR 26, Beallsville, OH 43716-9407 Oklahoma Charles L. Stuckey 6099 Rustic Road, Ponca City, OK 74604 Oregon Raymond A. Ruff, Jr. 5040 SW 175th Avenue, Aloha, OR 97007 Pennsylvania Douglas M. Rowe Masonic Temple, 1 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19014 Philippines Eliseo B. Fajardo, Jr. 30 St. Peregrine St., Barangka, Marikina, City Philippines Portugal Antonio G. Lebre Rua Joao Saraiva, 34-1, Portugal South Carolina R. Butler Satterfield P.O. Box 38, Laurens, SC 29360 South Dakota Richard M. Lother 124 Gilly Avenue S., Brookings, SD 27006 Tennessee Bob F. Stephenson 300 Maple View Street, Smyma, TN 37167 Texas Richard R. Jernigan 1200 Darbyton Dr, Hewitt, TX 76643 Utah John C. Liley 7079 Brent Ln, Cottonwood Hgts., UT 84088 Vermont Palmer E. Martin 84 Washington St, Bane, VT 05641 Virginia Joseph P. Westfall, Jr. PO Box 665, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-2702 Washington Ace James 605 Columbus Ave., Moxee, WA 98936 West Virginia Gene Ray Baker 11 Snedeker Road, Wheeling, WV 26003-7328 Wisconsin Frederick Goering N6446 Emery Ansorge Rd. # 155, Cecil, WI 54111 Wyoming Donald A. Heiser 119 S. Cleveland St. Laramie, WY 82070

51

GRAND REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW JERSEY TO: Alabama Thurman C. Pace, Jr. Westfield Alaska William C. Godfrey Lawnside Arizona Robert J. Crawford Toms River Arkansas Richard C. Amme Audubon California Van R. Powley Glassboro Colorado Alvin L. Zach, Jr. East Brunswick Connecticut Robert E. Schultz Maplewood Delaware Matthew Macready Pleasantville District of Columbia William M. Krzewicki III North Brunswick Florida Lee Grimes Bellmawr Georgia; Jeffrey R. Chan River Edge Idaho Donald W. Burdick Easton, PA Illinois William E. Sharp Williamstown Indiana John J. Keating Manahawkin Iowa Marshall Pelz Bogota Italy Richard Williamson Medford Kansas Michael J. Maslanik Greenwich Kentucky John D. Barnes Maplewood Louisiana Victor C. Moschella New Providence Maine Emil P. Busko Clementon Maryland Douglas R. Policastro Toms River

Mass/R.I. Frederick J. Berenbroick Leonia Michigan John A. Driscoll Belleville Minnesota Brian H. Blades Somerset Mississippi Charles J. Cheetham Wayne Missouri E. Eugene Fricks Blackwood

52

GRAND REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW JERSEY TO: Montana Rob Maynard Summit Nebraska Donald E. Franks Absecon Nevada Dennis M. Huey Linwood New Hampshire M. Edward Verdi III Wayne New Mexico Michael F. Lakat Ringoes New York Robert J. Sheridan Absecon North Carolina Edward R. Kotwica Roselle Park North Dakota John Corrigan Parlin Ohio Joseph A. Peloso New York Oklahoma Newlin Williams Bridgeton Oregon Richard Robins Parkertown Pennsylvania Mark E. Megee Heightstown Philippines Francis S. Rutkowski Manahawkin Portugal Richard A. Hammill Westfield South Carolina Lawrence D. Thoma Chatham South Dakota Edwin E. Beaver Pennsauken Tennessee Edward A. Hesley, Sr. Mantua Texas Herbert R. Wood Whitehouse Station Utah Dennis L. Stewart Beachwood Vermont William J. Berenbroick Leonia Virginia Scott A. Gothe Morris Plains Washington Charles P. Runyan Sewell West Virginia Robert Thornborough Millvlle Wisconsin Thomas Riggio Vineland Wyoming Emery A. Enz Cranford

53

MASONIC INFORMATION SECTION

MASONIC CALENDAR

Ancient Craft Masons – Commencing their era with the creation of the world, calling it Anno Lucis (A.L.), “In the year of light” Add 4000 years to the common era: Thus 2008 and 4000 = 6008

Royal Arch Masons – Dates from the year the second temple was commenced by Zerubabbel, called Anno Inventionis (A.I.),

“In the year of discovery” Add 530 years to the common era: Thus 2008 and 530 = 2538

Order of High Priesthood – Dates from the year the High Priest Melchizadek blessed Abram, called Anno Benefacio (A.B.), “In the year of Blessing” Add 1913 years to the common era: Thus 2008 and 1913 = 3921

Royal and Select Masons – Dates from the year Solomons’ Temple was completed, called Anno Depositions (A.Dep.), “In the year of deposit” Add 1000 years to the common era: Thus 2008 and 1000 = 3008

Knights Templar – Commence their era with the organization of their Order called, Anno Ordinis (A.O.), “In the year of the Order”. From the Christian era take 1118: Thus 2008 and 1118 = 890

Scottish Rite – The same as Ancient Craft, except Jewish Chronology is used, called Anno Mundi (A.M.),

“In the year of the world”. Add 3760 years to the common era: Thus 2008 and 3760 = 5768

THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE TEMPLE

GRAND MASTERS FROM THE ORIGIN TO THE DEATH OF DE MOLAY

1. Hugh de Payens ………….…... 1113 12. Gilbert Horal ………………….. 1194 2. Robert de Burgundy ……….…. 1136 13. Philip Duplessies …………….. 1201 3. Everard de Barri ………….…… 1146 14. William De Chartres ………….. 1217 4. Bernard de Trenelay …….……. 1151 15. Peter De Montaigu …………… 1218 5. Bertrand de Blanquefor ..……. 1154 16. Herrmann De Perigord ………….. 1233 6. Philip de Naplou ………….… 1169 17. William De Sonnac …………….. 1247 7. Odo de St. Amand ……….….. 1171 ` 18. Reginald Vichier ……………….. 1251 8. Arnold Dc Torroge ……….….. 1180 19. Thomas Berard …………………. 1257 9. Gerard DeRiderfort ……….. …. 1183 20. William De Beaujen ……………. 1273 10. Walter …………………….…… 1189 21. Theobald Gaudin …………………. 1291 11. Robert De Sable ………….…. 1191 22. Jacques De Molay ………………… 1295

(De Molay died in 1313)

54

Constituent Commanderies Top Three Officers & Recorders

Location and Meeting Schedule

Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 1 -2015 Masonic Temple, 129 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ Meets: Fourth Monday each month, except for July and August and December E.C. – Edward R. Kotwica, 230 Summer Ave., Unit 66B, Roselle Pk., NJ 07204-1260 (973)766-5643 Gen. – Robert E. Thompson, PO Box 356, River Edge, NJ 07661-0356 C.G. – Geeorge Cameron, 205 Seaview Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07305-2412 Rec. – Jeffrey R. Chan, 220 Oak Ave., River Edge, NJ 07661 (201) 487-7524

Helena Commandery No. 3 - 2015 Mt. Holly Masonic Temple, 15 Garden St. Mt. Holly NJ, Burlington County Meets: Third Thursday odd months; January, March, May, September, November E.C. – Derek M. Colquohoun, 120 Ulmer Ave., Oreland, PA 19075 (267)975-6199 Gen. – Lawrence W. Craver, 16 Maple Av., New Egypy, NJ 08533 (609) 286-3331 C.G. – Paul Rivas, 604 Trenton Rd., PO Box 25, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 (609) 8936-8210 Rec. – Jeffrey L. Alexander, 49 Nottingham Way, Eastampton, NJ 08060 (609) 261-1760 Cyrene Commandery No. 7 -2015 Clarksboro Masonic Temple, 181 W. Clarksboro Rd. Clarksboro, NJ Gloucester County Meets, Third Thursday, except July and August E.C. – Steven M. Smereglia 337 Allen Ave. Salem, NJ 08079 (609) 420-6127 Gen. – D a r y l l J. Slimmer 58 Country Club Rd., Pine Hill, NJ 08021 (609) 202-7467 C.G. – M i c h a e l C e r f a r a t t i , I I I 1040 Sunside Av., Woodbury Hcts., NJ 08097 (856) 981-0159 Rec. – Edward A. Hesley, Sr., 185 Cardinal Ave. Mantua, NJ 08051 (856) 468-7812

St. Johns Commandery No. 9 - 2015 Masonic Temple, 1550 Irving St. Rahway, Middlesex County Meets Fourth Thursday, except July and August and November E.C. – Victor Moschella, 906 Springfield Ave. New Providence, NJ 07974 Gen. – John T. Lindson, Jr., 254 Morgan Av.,S. Amboy, NJ 08879 C.G. – Antonio Albano, PO Box 1235, Piscataway, NJ 08855 Rec. – C.K. Leverett, 18 Buttonwood Ave. Eatontown, NJ 07724 (732) 578-0748

Olivet Commandery No. 10 - 2015 Masonic Temple, 1065 Landis Ave. Vineland, Cumberland County Meets, Third Tuesday, except July, August and December E.C. - David W. Madara,, 6678 Harding Hwy., Mays Lndng, NJ 08330 Gen. – Charles DeWoody, Jr., 1090 Strwberry Av., Vineland, NJ 08360 C.G. – Charles E. Taylor, Jr., 10600 W. Buckshutem Rd., Millville, NJ 08332 (856) 455-2458 Rec. – Thomas Riggio, 591 N. West Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 (856) 305-1860

55

Constituent Commanderies’ Top Three Officers & Recorders

Location and Meeting Schedule

Melita Commandery No. 13 - 2015 Morristown Masonic Center, 39 Maple Ave. Morristown, NJ Passaic County Meets Third Wednesday, except April, July, August and December E.C. – Tony Shakkour , 194 McDonald Dr. Wayne, NJ 07470 (973) 223-4158 Gen. – Michael F. Shepherd, 24 Rhea Run. Newton, NJ 07860 (201) 788-3969 C.G. – Vincent Gruccio, 36 Walnut Valley Rd., Columbia, NJ 07832 (201) 400-2427 Rec. – M. Edward Verdi II, 189 Berdan Ave. # 136 Wayne, NJ 07470 (201) 404-0888

Corson Commandery No. 15 - 2015 Masonic Temple, 152 Maple Ave. Red Bank, Monmouth County Meets, Second Thursday, except July and August and Holidays E.C. – Daniel E. Terry, 613 Burnside St., Toms River, NJ 08757 (732) 244-1253 Gen. – Neal E. Bottemley, 1058 Manner Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050 (609) 978-0980 C.G. – Denis W. Johnson, 932 Lincoln Ave., Pine Beach, NJ 08741 (732) 286-7970 Rec. – Dennis L. Stewart, 1421 Longboat Ave. Beachwood, NJ 08722 (732) 244-2639 Trinity Commandery No. 17 - 2015 Masonic Temple, 1011 Central Ave. Westfield, Union County Meets, Third Monday, except July and August E.C. – Richard D. Forman, 406 Tall Oak Ln., Hillsborough, NJ 08844 (908) 359-6501 Gen. – Lawrence D. Thoma 420 River Road #H 1 Chatham, NJ 07928 (908) 531-41 C.G. – Michael A.. Canavan, 854 Shadowlawn Dr., Westfield, NJ 07090 (908) 370-2176 Rec. – William M. Krzewick, III, 2127 Excelsior Ave. North Brunswick, NJ 08902 (732) 421-2402 Atlantic Commandery No. 20 -2015 Masonic Temple, 563 Zion Rd., Egg Hrbr. Twp., 08205, Cape May County Meets, Second Wednesday, except July, August and December E.C. - David Bruner, 4222 Fairway Dr., Mays Lndg, NJ 08330 (609) 437-4432 Gen. – Jack Lanorith, 326 Lexington Dr., Little Egg Hrbr., NJ 08087 (609) 294-1096 C.G. – Robert Sheridan, 403 Breaker Dr., Galloway, NJ 0205 (609) 652-5390 Rec. – Donald E. Franks, 252 Marlin Rd., Absecon, NJ 08201 (609) 383-8348 Crusade Commandery No. 23 - 2015 Masonic Temple, 16 Kings Hwy Haddonfield, Camden County Meets, First Tuesday of each month, except July, August and December E.C. – Joseph A. Buono, 636 Montclair Av., Wenonah, NJ 08090 (856) 491-3329 Gen. – Frank A. Bogdzio, 1720 Liberty St., Trenton, NJ 08629 (609) 392-3553 C.G. – John M. Zioance, 13 Mulray Ct., Deptford, NJ 08096 (856) 458-5724 Rec. – John Bernhardt 1618 S. Broad St. Apt. 1, Trenton, NJ 08610 (609) 695-6331

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Grand Commandery Officers 2015 – 2016 Richard Robins, Sr. (20) …..……………..……………………………………..…….……...…..… Grand Commander 401 Parkertown Dr. Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087 (609) 618-6433 Richard A. Hammill (17) .………..…………….………..…………………………….... Deputy Grand Commander 211 Park Ave. Westfield, NJ 07090 (908) 232-9503 Scott A. Gothe (13) ………………………………………………….…..……….……………… Grand Generalissimo 11 Hawthorne Ave. Morris Plains, NJ 07950 (973) 292-2942

Richard C. Amme (23) ……………………………………………...……….………………… Grand Captain General 140 Hampshire Ave. Audubon, NJ 08106 (856) 546-6892 Mark E. Megee (23) …..…… ………….....…………………………………...……………… Grand Senior Warden PO Box 966,. Hightstown, NJ 08520 (609) 301-8811 Matthew R. Macready (20) .…..….…………………………………………………..…..……… Grand Junior Warden 55 E. Lindley Ave., Pleasantville, NJ 08232-1121 (609) 641-9454 William F. Drapczak (15) ………..……………………..………………….…….…..……….… Grand Treasurer 21 Oxford Ct. Bordentown, NJ 08505 (609) 292-2942 Dennis L. Stewart (15) ………………………...…………..…………………………...…...…..…. Grand Recorder 1421 Longboat Ave. Beachwood, NJ 08722 (732) 244-2639 Dennis W. Lacey (3) …..….…..…………………………………………………………………..…. Grand Prelate 319 Carleton Ln., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (856) 235-1536 Neal E. Bottomley (15) …………………………………………………………………….….... Associate Grand Prelate 1058 Manner Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050 (609) 978-0980 Frank Bogdzio (23) ………….. …..……….….………………….……………..….….……….... Grand Standard Bearer 1720 Liberty St., Trenton, NJ 08629-2204 (609) 647-1735 Lawrence D. Thoma (17) ………….…………………….……………………………..………… Grand Sword Bearer 300Livingston Rd., Linden, NJ 07036 (908) 531-4181 Robert J. Crawford (15) …….…...……………………………………….…....………..…….……… Grand Warder 23 Chestnut Hill Dr., Toms River,, NJ 08755-8018 (732) 736-6560 David R. Saunders (23). …………………….………………...……………….……...………………. Grand Sentinel 6 Edgemont Rd., Gibbsboro, NJ 08026 Michael Shepherd (13) ..……………………..……….…………….....……...…………………... Grand Marshal 24 Rhea Run Newton, NJ 07860 (201) 788-3969 Frank S. Rutkowski (15) …….……………………………………….……………………………… Aide-de-Camp 55 Patrick Dr., Manahawkin, NJ 08050 (609) 597-7538 All Past Grand Commanders ………………………..…………………………..…………………… Protocol Aides

The next Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New Jersey will be held March 4-6, 2016, at the Holiday Inn, Somerset, NJ

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John D. Barnes Mar. 1, 2014

Proceedings of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar State ... · Masonic Resume. Sir Knight Robins...

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Transcript of Proceedings of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar State ... · Masonic Resume. Sir Knight Robins...