Hall, age 102, honored for serving 80 years with the Masons

NORTH CANAAN — It was a humble Fred Hall who accepted what may be an unprecedented award on May 29. The Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts honored him for his 80-year membership in the Masons.

About a dozen lodge members and officers gathered at Geer Village to offer their congratulations to Hall, who tuned 102 on May 23. He amazed them by remembering faces, what they did for work and their various functions in the lodge.

Hall was modest about the award, expressing his feelings that he had not honored his membership faithfully over the years. He was born in Ashley Falls, and like his father, George, and brother, Bill, he joined the local lodge. Hall described them as having done much to “earn their keep� there.

“I moved to Pittsfield. For a spell, I came down regularly. But at that time, the price of gas was what we thought was high. As time went on, I moved to Canaan, and as soon as my wife, Priscilla, and I set up housekeeping, we got involved in just about everything Canaan had to offer.

“The funny thing I’ve noticed all my life is that Canaan people seem to stay below the state line. I don’t know why, but that seems to be the case. It was the same with me.�

Grand Master Roger Pageau disagreed that Hall had not served sufficiently.

“You stayed a member and you made an impression,� Pageau said. “These men wouldn’t have come here today if you hadn’t been an inspiration to them. The fact that you’re a Mason transcends time and space. If you’re a brother, you’re a brother.�

Pageau noted Hall took his first degree in December 1928, and his second and third the following year.

He received lapel pins and a certificate of commendation for “80 years of loyalty to The Craft and conspicuous service to others.�

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