Towpath Lodge honors Jim Anderson for dedicated service to Masons

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Pritchard “Jim” Anderson holds the Dedicated Service apron he was presented with Wednesday night by Matt Flammger, right, master of Towpath Lodge #1193. Participating in the ceremony were, at left, the Very Worshipful Andrew Conroy, Assistant Grand Lecturer and member of Lockport’s Red Jacket Lodge #646; and Right Worshipful Barry Wallace Jr., Grand Steward and member of Niagara Lodge #375 of Lockport.

MIDDLEPORT – Officers and brothers of Masonic Towpath Lodge #1193 held a special service Wednesday night to honor one of their own.

Pritchard “Jim” Anderson, an 11-year member of the Towpath Lodge, was presented with the Masonic Dedicated Service Award, an honor reserved for those who go “above and beyond” in service to their lodge.

Scott Mason of Medina, secretary of Towpath Masonic Lodge in Middleport, and master Matt Flammger of Albion explain the Dedicated Service Award to lodge members Wednesday night, before bestowing the honor to treasurer Pritchard “Jim” Anderson of Middleport.

Formerly the Cataract Lodge #295, Towpath Lodge was formed through a merger with Medina and Lyndonville lodges.

Most recent recipients of the Dedicated Service Award are the late Allan J. Kropf of Medina in 2014, the late Douglas Hedges from Lyndonville in 2007, Frank Berger of Medina in 2004, the late Orren Roberts of Medina in 2000 and Fulton Rogers Jr. of Medina in 1989.

Wednesday’s presentation began with a moment of silence for Allan Kropf, who died March 20.

Lodge secretary Scott Mason read an explanation of the Dedicated Service Award, created in 1974 by then Grand Master Most Worshipful Arthur Markewich. This award program enables lodges to obtain Grand Lodge recognition for brothers and past masters who continue, year after year, to support their lodges and their district with their presence, time and talent by attending lodge and district meetings and participating in degrees and programs, with or without holding an office, Mason explained. To be eligible, a brother must be a member of the fraternity for at least 10 years.

Anderson became a member 11 years ago at the invitation of the late Herb Koenig.

“For many years before that, I would drive by and see the men going in the door with suits on and wonder what was going on, but I never had the nerve to stop and ask,” Anderson said. “Herb had been my teacher in Middleport school, so when I went into business fixing computers, I went to his house to fix his. He asked me then if I had ever thought about becoming a Mason. Two weeks later I was signed up.”

Anderson said he joined to be helpful, and since has met so many nice people which he never would have enacted with otherwise.

“These are people you can trust, and I appreciate that,” Anderson said. “The tenets of Free Masonry are in line with the kind of person Herb wanted to be and that’s the same with me. When I got my Third Degree it was at Old Fort Niagara and more than 100 people were there, who gave up their day to support me. That truly impressed me.”

Towpath Lodge Master Matt Flammger of Albion said the Dedicated Service Award is the greatest award any Mason can receive. It takes commitment to this fraternity above and beyond what anybody could do, he added.

In presenting the award, Flammger said in Anderson’s 11 years of Masonry he has inspired, mentored and led the brothers of Towpath Lodge through his willingness to volunteer his time to all aspects of the lodge.

“Specifically, he regularly cares for the lodge as an extra trustee on his own time, cooking, cleaning, repairing, painting and decorating the lodge for brothers and guests as needed,” Flammger said. “He mentors to new brothers on their schedules and currently is treasurer for the lodge. He will fill in any of the other chairs as needed. He has been invaluable to this lodge through his unselfish example of what the true meaning of Masonry is.”

Anderson was overwhelmed by the award, saying it was completely unnecessary but much appreciated. He admitted he is not one to ask for help in anything, but so many Masonic brothers have given him help without him asking.

“That reflects the kind of people this lodge is,” he said.

Also present for the award presentation were the Very Worshipful Andrew Conroy, assistant Grand Lecturer from Red Jacket Lodge #646 in Lockport; Right Worshipful Barry Wallace Jr., Grand Steward, from Niagara Lodge #375 in Lockport; and Anderson’s wife Barb and sister Deborah Loke.

Loke praised her brother, saying she has always looked up to him as her “older brother,” even though he is seven years younger.

“He is an amazing brother, husband and father,” she said.