Table Of ContentGRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER
MAINE
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY- EIGHTH ANNUAL
CONVOCATION
2012 -2013
HELD AT BANGOR, MAINE, APRIL 27, 2013
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LESLIE M. GRAY
MOST EXCELLENT GRAND HIGH PRIEST
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BIOGRAPHY
LESLIE M. GRAY
Companion Leslie M. Gray was born in Portland, Maine on March 5, 1942, the son of H.
Leslie and Pauline M. (Golden) Gray. He was educated in the Portland and Bangor, Maine
school systems, completing his academic endeavors at Husson University.
On August 28, 1961, Companion Leslie enlisted in the U.S. Army and retired as a First
Sergeant on January 6, 1989 culminating more than 27 years of combined military service to his
country.
On March 5, 1966 Companion Leslie was united in marriage to the former Sharon Lee
Burke at Bangor, Maine. Their union has produced three sons, Christopher K, Burke G, and
Adam A. and five grandsons with one great-grandson.
Companion Leslie and Sharon are members of the Carmel UCC Congregational Church
in Carmel, Maine Other civic affiliations include Director on the Newport Chamber of
Commerce, and a member of the Etna Housing Development Committee.
Companion Gray was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 7,
1983 in Benevolent Lodge #87 at Carmel, Maine and served as Worshipful Master in 1987. He
continues to serve his home lodge as Lecturer and mentor. He affiliated with Parian Lodge #160
of Corinna serving as Lodge Historian. Additionally, he was elected an Honorary Member of
Meridian Splendor Lodge #49 December 7, 2009.
Companion Leslie was exalted in Stevens Chapter #28 of Newport, Maine on December
11, 1989 and served as High Priest 2000 and 2001 and as Secretary from 2002 until 2007. He
was greeted in Mt. Lebanon Council #13 at Oakland, Maine on February 22, 1991. He is a dual
member and Past Illustrious Master of Mt. Moriah Council #10, and also holds dual membership
at Central Council #18 in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.
Companion Gray was Knighted in St. Johns Commandery No, 3 at Bangor, Maine on
May 14, 1990 and elected Emminent Commander on January 3, 2004. He also served as
Emminent Commander once again in 2006
Companion Leslie’s other Masonic affiliations include Past Governor of Katahdin York
Rite College No, 187, Past Officers Association of Maine, Maine Council of Order of High
Priesthood, Maine Council Order of Thrice Illustrious Masters, Past Commanders Association of
Maine, Maine Chapter of Knights Preceptor, Pine Tree Priory No. 65 Knights of the York Cross
of Honor, Pine Cone Council No. 31 Knight Masons Past Sovereign of Tamerlane Conclave No.
4 Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Cross and Crown Tabernacle No. LIII, Holy Royal
Arch Knight Templar Priests, Maine College S.R.I.F., Order of the Purple Cross and Associate
Regent of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America
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Companion Gray has served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter as Grand Steward, Grand
Principal Sojourner, DDGHP of District #2, Grand King and Deputy Grand High Priest. He is a
past Grand Representative of the grand jurisdictions of Washington, DC and Ohio.
GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF MAINE
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVOCATION
The Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine met for the One Hundred
Eighty-Eighth Annual Convocation at the Bangor Masonic Center, Bangor, Maine on Saturday
April 27, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) with Most Excellent Leslie M. Gray
presiding. The Prayer was delivered by Ex. Companion W. Daniel Hill.
VISITORS
The Most Excellent Grand High Priest ordered admission of all Royal Arch Masons in
good standing as visitors.
RECORDS
It was voted to dispense with the reading of the records and that they be confirmed as
printed in the Proceedings.
PAST GRAND HIGH PRIEST OF MAINE
1977 Dwight C. Whitney 1995 Raymond J. McLellan
1993 Daniel C. Pratt 1997 Robert V. Damon
2000 John O. Bond, Sr. 2006 Kenneth R. Libby
2007 G. Dean Hoke 2008 C. Arthur Allen
2009 Ernest A. Lowell 2010 Harold E. Birt, Jr.
2011 Paul B. Grondin
PERMANENT MEMBERS OF GRAND CHAPTER
John D. Baggett Raymond L. Bond, Jr.
Robert D. Chaput Gordon W. Harrington
Gordon L. Kimball, Sr. William H. Sawyer
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
RHODE ISLAND: OHIO
Brad C. Buckley -- MEGHP Lynn Chadbourne, Gr. Rep. to Me.
Mark P. Thompson -- Gr. Capt of Host
VERMONT:
NEW HAMPSHIRE Kirk C. White, MEGHP
H. Steven Wood -- Gr. Prin. Soj. Pierre Denis Loger -- MEPGHP
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WASHINGTON: QUEBEC
Louis E. Bartrand, -- M.E. General King Paul “Arturi, -- ME1stGP
Richard Roberts --
DELAWARE: VIRGINIA
James B. Walsh -- MEGHP Charles Wagner
EASTERN JURISDICTION OF CANADA
NOVA SCOTIA & PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NEW BRUNSWICK:
George O’Leary, MEGHP Eric Johnson, ME1stGP
Charles R. McKinley, Asst. Gr. Secretary Robert J. Melanson, P1stGP
J. Hugh Palmer, PGHP David D. Dalzell-- P1stGP
Terrence Read, PGHP Fred A. Healy. P1stGP
Tabor Caulier, PGHP Darrell Thurber -- P1stGP
Charles E. Rutt, GHP Mike Croft -- Grand Scribe
Peer Outhouse Richard Golding
Lofty Woodhams
MAINE
M.I. Donald K. Rice Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand
Council of Royal & Select Masters of Maine
R.E. Brian S. Messing Right Eminent Grand Commander of the
Commandery of Knight’s Templar of Maine
Em. Prior Gordon W. Harrington KYCH, Pine Tree Priory No. 65
Leopole R. LaRiviere M.I. Grand Sovereign Grand Imperial
Council Knights of the Red Cross of
Constantine of Maine
Paul B. Grondin Excellent President, Council of the Order of
High Priesthood State of Maine
Reginald A. Page Past President, Thrice Illustrious Masters of
Maine
Thomas A. Emery Right Eminently Distinguished Brother and
Grand Governor of the York Rite Colleges
of Maine
John O. Bond, Sr. Chief Adept, Maine College SRICF
Rosicrucians;
Noble Paul Sherman, Past Potentate of Kora Shrine.
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GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER
M.E. LOUIS E. BARTRAND
GENERAL GRAND KING
M.E. C. ARTHUR ALLEN
Excellent General Grand Chapter, Ambassador to Maine
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF MAINE
M.W. GERALD S. LEIGHTON
Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of Masons in Maine
Representing
M.W. A. James Ross
Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Maine
Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters
M.W. Robert V. Damon
REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Chartered Chapters: 34
Chapters Represented 33
Chapter Officers as Proxy 36
Grand Chapter Officers 23
Past Grand High Priests 11
Permanent Members 6
Past High Priests 70
Entitled to Vote: 85 = Ballots
Fraternally submitted,
R.E. Gordon W. Harrington
The credentials committee reported there was one chapter not represented at the Annual
Convocation, namely, Rumford RAC #56. A call was made to determine if anyone from those
chapters was present. No one responded. The Grand High Priest noted that this was the third
consecutive year that this chapters had failed to send a representatives to the Grand Convocation
as is required by Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution of the Grand Chapter of Maine, and
Article VII, Section 2 of the By-laws of the Grand Chapter of Maine.
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Chapter Represented by Chapter Represented by
Cumberland- Raymond J. McLellan Montgomery/St Jami R. Reatiraz
Mt. Vernon #1 Bernard #2
York #5 Andrew McMullin Mount Moriah #6 Randy L. Adams
Waldo #7 Paul R. Connelly Bradford #9 Daniel D. Doneto
Eagle #11 Kenneth A. Caldwell Joppa #13 Harold A. Clough
Somerset #16 Robert Ward St. Croix #17 Weibley J. Dean, II
Hancock #19 John D. Baggett Piscataqis #21 Timothy A. Briggs
Keystone #24 Carl T. Wolff Drummond #27 Ronald A. Bucknam
Stevens #28 Guy Plummer Oxford #29 Wayne R. Pike
Acadia #31 Eric Kuntz Unity #32 John O. Bond, Sr.
Franklin #34 Michael J. Fogg Winthrop #37 Leopold G. Bellemare
Turner #41 C. Arthur Allen Cushnoc #43 Joshua Atkinson
Garfield #48 James May Mt. Katahdin #49 Scott C. Catell
Teconnet #52 David F. Barnes White Rose #54 Kevin O’Malley
Ira Berry #57 Harold F. Glencross Rabboni #62 Douglas MacLean
Kennebec #67 Neil O. Hunnewell Boaz #72 Jerry L.DeWitt
Mosaic #74 Alan Bay
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ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST
M.E. LESLIE M. GRAY
Bangor, Maine
April 27, 2013
To the Officers and Members of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine
First and foremost, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to
serve as Grand High Priest for the past year. While it has been challenging; moreover, I have
found it both rewarding and exciting. I perhaps, should expound on the “challenging” and
“exciting.” At last year’s Grand Convocation, upon final report of the Committee on
Credentials, the Grand High Priest turned to me and said, “I’m about to do something and I need
you to support me.” I said, “Of course I will.” I was EXCITED! And what resulted,
unfortunately, was the forfeiture of three Chapters Charters for not being represented at Grand
Chapter for 4 (four) consecutive years. Then I felt CHALLENGED! However, when all was
said and done we were able to save one of the three Chapters by issuing a Charter (UD). One of
the other Chapter members affiliated with another Chapter with intention of requesting a Charter
(UD) sometime in the future. The third Chapter initially thought they were wronged and just
quit. At one point, the Grand Treasurer convinced this Chapter also to request a Charter (UD) to
which they were in favor of pursuing. However,. at the twelfth hour they decided to surrender
their Charter and Seal and close the Chapter.
Due to the circumstances developing within this Grand Jurisdiction I felt it necessary to
limit my out-of-state travel and concentrate more on the matters at hand here in Maine.
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My Lady Sharon and I were fortunate enough to attend Grand Lodge on May 1st, the
Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia on May 4th & 5th, the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire on May
11th & 12th and the Grand Chapter of New Brunswick, Canada June 8th & 9th.
I attended 26 chapter official visitations, 4 of which I was the inspecting officer. I must
at this time thank my District Deputies and Past Grand High Priests who conducted those
visitations along with the Grand Council Officers and the supportive vigilance and assistance of
my appointed officers. With your devote dedication and invaluable insight capitular masonry
was well served. I would like to thank ME PGHP Ernest Lowell, Grand Lecturer and RE Robert
Chaput, Grand Secretary for their coordinated efforts in administering the Chapter/Secretary
Schools of Instruction. This new concept appears to have been beneficial to all involved. Last,
but certainly not least, we ALL owe a huge debt of gratitude to ME PGHP Harold E. Birt, Jr. for
his prowess in computer technology in maintaining the York Rite Website. He has spent
countless hours “fine tuning” and providing statistical information so important to those who
require such data to do their respective jobs. All this without hope of “fee” or “reward.” Well
done Most Excellent!
My Companions, at this time I feel compelled; and you certainly are entitled to be briefed
on the procedural course and interactions of the aforementioned three Chapters. On May 16,
2012 I along with the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary traveled to Saco Lodge Hall to meet
with Aurora and Maine Chapters for the purpose of retrieving their Charters and Seals. A
lengthy discussion ensued which resulted in a request by the affected Chapters to appeal the
decision of Grand Chapter. Therefore, as Grand High Priest, I suspended the forfeitures until
further review and discussion at the Grand Officers Summer Meeting on June 30, 2012. My
Companions, I had no authority to make such a decision, for I am bound by the same
Constitution and By-Laws as MEPGHP Grondin when he called for a vote to pull the Charters.
My action of May 16, 2012, although made with Chapter members’ best interest in mind, caused
much consternation within the craft. To this I apologize and ask your forgiveness. I then
provided the two Chapters with specific guidance as how they should proceed IAW Article VI of
the By-Laws of Grand Chapter.
On June 19, 2012 the Grand Secretary (RE Robert D. Chaput) and I traveled to
Vinalhaven for the purpose of meeting with the members of Atlantic Chapter. We had originally
scheduled the meeting for 6:30 pm, but it was closer to 7:15 pm when everyone started arriving.
After they had all settled I informed them that they could not open Chapter, essentially due to the
fact they were out of business. I then explained to them what action had taken place at Grand
Convocation on April 28, 2012 and that I was bound by the Constitution and By-Laws of Grand
Chapter to uphold the decision of Grand Chapter. That decision was the forfeiture of Atlantic’s
Charter for no representation for a 4-Year period at a Grand Convocation. It should be noted that
there was no communication from Atlantic Chapter to Grand Chapter; all communication was
initiated from Grand Chapter to Atlantic Chapter. This unfortunate and for me; sad event, could
have been prevented. Atlantic Chapter could have followed the Constitution and By-Laws of
Grand Chapter and the directions of then ME Paul B. Grondin. They chose, for one reason or
another, not to do either. The Grand Secretary then explained to the Chapter the procedures to
be followed as outlined in Article VI, Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Grand Chapter By-Laws. He
further offered his assistance to the Chapter in accomplishing this task. The Seal of Atlantic
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RAC No.40 was retrieved that evening, unfortunately, the Charter could not be readily located
and the search continues.
Progression of Events – Maine RAC No. 73
May 3, 2012 Grand Chapter Letter outlining the events that led to actions taken by Grand
Chapter on April 28, 2012 with specific guidance as to what actions the High Priest/Treasurer
and Secretary should pursue.
June 30, 2012 Met again with Maine RAC and Aurora RAC in Oakland. Informed them I
had no authority to suspend a vote of Grand Chapter for the purpose of further review and
discussion. After presenting this information on Grand Chapter Letterhead with an enclosed
copy of Article VI of the By-Laws of Grand Chapter, I directed them to comply with Article VI
in its entirety and to exhibit close coordination with the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary in
doing so.
July 30, 2012 I received an email from the High Priest stating it was the intent of Maine
Chapter 73 to move forward as necessary to reapply or reinstate its Charter. “It is my goal to
keep Maine Chapter in the best light as to complying with Grand Councils final decision.
Therefore, I am looking for clear direction on how to comply with Article VI and how to procure
for any member requesting a member in good standing certificate. I am working to inventory all
property, but as our building is under construction everything is spread into various storage
facilities, additional time will be needed. Also after we are in compliance with Article VI I will
be looking for direction on action to reapply or reinstate Maine Chapter’s Charter.”
July 30, 2012 My Response: “Thank you for your response. I am forwarding your email
to the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary respectively in order they may assist you in
complying with the instructions I provided you on June 30, 2012 at Oakland. I am confident we
can get through this together. We need to stay focused and positive; and I need not remind you of
that necessity given your background and dedication to the craft.”
October 19, 2002 (over 2 ½ months later) I received this email from the High Priest.
“Pursuant to the email I sent on July 30. We have been working to get an inventory of Maine
Chapters property and I stated all our property has been buried in storage, do to moving of the
lodge hall. My intent is to provide you with a detailed list of property and with that list send in
our charter books and seal to meet the conditions you set forth on our June 30 meeting. Our
intent is to work to reinstate our charter, and that is still our intent. I will ensure Mat and John
comply by the end of the month but the inventory list may be general and not as detailed as I
wanted. As to the reference on a 6 month time line on our eligibility you refer to I am unclear.
Please advise.”
November 14, 2012 (My Letterhead document to High Priest/Treasurer and Secretary –
Note: Registered/Return Receipt letters to treasurer and secretary were returned “Undeliverable”.
“As of this date neither I, the Grand Treasurer or Grand Secretary have had any response from
the addressees above, other than the above email of Oct 19, 2012. Additionally, MEPGHP
Raymond J. McLellan emailed the High Priest and extended him the broad mantle of charity and
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brotherly love by offering Maine RAC to affiliate with Cumberland-Mt Vernon RAC. This
would have facilitated the accomplishment of Grand Chapter’s directive and paved the way for a
request for a Charter Under Dispensation. All of this being done, Maine RAC could have
applied at Grand Chapter Convocation to have their Charter reinstated. Apparently, this fell on
deaf ears.”
“In view of the above and in compliance with ARTICLE VI, SECTION 4; Member of
Defunct Chapter, Line 6 through Line 9 Extracted: “provided that this provision shall not
apply to a Companion of a Chapter whose warrant or charter shall have been forfeited for
irregular or unmasonic conduct, in which case the Companion is disqualified to join or visit
any Chapter without the permission of the Grand Chapter obtained in writing.” I hereby
enjoin the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary of this Grand Royal Arch Chapter to gather
such assistance as is necessary to effectuate the retrieval of those items listed in ARTICLE
VI, SECTION 1 Surrender 0f Charter. This action is to be completed in a most expedient
time frame.
A copy of this document will be sent to the heads of York Rite bodies within this Grand
Jurisdiction and those outside this jurisdiction with whom we hold fraternal relations.”
January 23, 2013 My response to Maine Chapter’s request for Charter Under Dispensation..
“This is to inform you that I am in receipt of subject request and approve the request for a
Charter Under Dispensation with the following stipulations:
1) Maine RAC No. 73’s Original Charter and Chapter Seal must first be in the
possession of the Grand Secretary before this Dispensation becomes effective.
2) A Charter “Under Dispensation” has no number. (i.e., Maine RAC No. (UD))
Therefore you will issue dues cards under the Charter No. (UD).
3) I now refer to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Maine, SEC. 71. Lodges under
dispensations have all the rights and powers of chartered lodges, except the election
and installation of officers and the rights growing out of elections and
installations (2011pg609). I interpret this to mean that a Chapter under dispensation
has no vote in Grand Chapter. I, of course, will seek review from the Committee on
Jurisprudence.”
Notes
1) On March 1, 2013 ME PGHP, Grand Treasurer Raymond J. McLellan, met with the
Ex King James D. Knowles of Maine RAC No. 73 and retrieved that Chapter’s
original Charter & Seal.
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Description:Sep 10, 2013 Companion Gray has served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter as Grand Steward,
Grand. Principal Sojourner, DDGHP of District #2, Grand King
