The Chicheley Lodge No.607 in Thrapston are mourning the loss of their IPM WBro. Neil Dorothy, who passed to the Grand Lodge Above on Thursday 30th November 2023, aged 52, after a long illness bravely fought.
Neil Dorothy left his home county of Devon in 1996 to join Northamptonshire Police. His first posting on joining, was responding to incidents on the Eastern District of Northampton.On finding his feet in Northampton, he met Anna who was a Nurse and the two having got together, married, and have two wonderful daughters, Scarlett and Lara.
Neil became a Freemason in 2006 when he was initiated into the Lodge of Merit No. 466 in Stamford. Having become a Lodge Steward in 2007, he found that with work commitments and a young family he could not give Masonry the time to do it justice, so he stepped away and resigned in 2010. He re-joined Masonry in 2015 and went to Whytewell in Wellingborough where again he became Lodge Steward before moving across to Chicheley in 2018. It was also around this time that while performing the role of Chief Inspector he was diagnosed with cancer and that it was terminal.
In view of the intensity of his illness the Force medically retired him, but determined not to go down without a fight he progressed well and beat it first time round. However, it returned with a vengeance and at one point it was thought that Neil would not see his 50the birthday.
He focused his attention on what he could achieve in the Craft and managed to fulfil the Offices of Senior Deacon and Junior Warden. Neil’s health began to go downhill, so the decision was taken to allow Neil to take the Chair of King Solomon from the Junior Warden position. During his year in the Chair Neil gave all he could, but regrettably it was clear that his health was deteriorating. His Successor was installed in his stead 4 days before he passed, with Neil sadly too ill to attend.
WBro. Neil was extremely positive in his outlook and always had a smile on his face. Despite his illness he remained unchanged, never bemoaning the deck of cards he had been dealt. He didn’t feel sorry for himself and although he knew his time was limited, he still gave his to others without hesitation.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
Within both Police and Masonic circles, Neil lived much respected and loved and passed courageously, very much regretted.
We send our deepest condolences to Anna, Scarlett, Lara and all the family.