It is with great sadness we report the passing to the Grand Lodge Above on 4 October 2010 of WBro Raymond Thorpe.
Born in Tydd Goat, near Wisbeach on 13 June 1925, his national service took him to Buxton, Derbyshire, where he met Eileen who was to become his wife.
He was initiated into Socrates Lodge No 373 in 1955 becoming its Master in 1969. In 1970 he became a founder member of Samuel Pepy's Lodge No 8330 Lodge becoming its Master in 1975 and holding the office of Charity Steward for many years. In 1994 Bro Ray was a founder of Meridian Lodge No 9542.
At Provincial Grand Lodge in May 2009, the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Barrie Hall presented WBro Thorpe with his Certificate of Merit, a very touching and memorable occasion for all involved.
At his death he was the longest surviving Past Master of both Socrates and Samual Pepy's Lodges and one of only three surviving Founders of Samual Pepy's Lodge. WBro Thorpe was a prominent and successful businessman who never suffered fools gladly but, on the other hand, had a heart of gold.
His passing is an enormous loss to his Lodges and Freemasonry in general.