Sunday, November 14, 2021

RIP Harry Black

The Masons of Idaho and Freemasonry, in general, lost a great man today. Harry C. Black was born on July 24, 1931, in Northampton, MA, where he lived until August 1, 1951, when he enlisted in the United States Air Force (during the Korean War). He served until July 31, 1954, where he was honorably discharged while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base. It was while stationed in Idaho that he met his first wife Frances Jean Diehl with whom he had 3 kids. Frances passed away on March 17, 1981, and Harry married a second time, but it didn't last long. In 1991, he would marry an exceptional woman named Ava Mansell with whom he was still married at his passing.

Harry was initiated (April 19, 1963), passed (November 22, 1963), and raised (March 26, 1964) in Oriental Lodge No.60 in Boise, ID. He would serve that Lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1970. He also had the honor of serving as the Lodge's Tyler from 1976 to 2003 (with exception of one year). Harry was also a member of Silver City Lodge No.13 where he served as Worshipful Master numerous times. He served the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Idaho as District Deputy Grand Master in 1992 and 1993. Bro. Harry then served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho for the 2004-2005 Masonic Year.

Harry was also a member of the Boise Valley of the Scottish Rite, the Boise York Rite, Royal Order of Scotland, El Korah Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star. Harry also worked with the Order of the DeMolay and Job's Daughters International.

Harry was one of the first Masons I ever met and was of the signers of my petition. I have so many fond memories of Harry. I remember back in 2007 and I was Senior Warden of the Lodge, he wondered if he would make it to his 50-Year Anniversary in Freemasonry as that was 7-years away at that time. I looked at him straight in the eyes and said "Harry, you're not allowed to die on me while I'm Master next year." He just laughed and said he'd try. When I came home from my second deployment to Iraq, I hadn't taken two steps into the Lodge room when Harry shot up to me, grabbed me by my shoulders, looked me up and down, and said, "Good! You're in one piece!" Then shook my hand and said, "Welcome home, Brother."

Harry was a fine ritualist, although, he did sometimes like to adlib and add in his own words, especially with the Master Mason Lecture. Harry, though, was a fountain of knowledge and if I needed a prompting, Harry was who I'd look to for a word. He served Freemasonry tirelessly and I'm going to miss him greatly.

4 comments:

  1. I was very honored to have him give me my 3rd degree lecture, and his adlib made it even more special to me! RIP Brother Harry C. Black as you look down on us from above.

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  2. Dad will be missed as wanted to speak at his service but seem that I was not allow to. I felt was at some else's service an just had to walk away and persue life Frank W Black

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  3. May my father rest is peace for we had not been in each other's lives for a long time. He was my father and chose others and didn't include my husband and I so we stayed away. His three children are Frank Black, Theresa Thomas and his youngest who is deceased Edwin Black. We weren't included for contribution to his service. Thank you to the Mason's for what you did.

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  4. As we his 3 children of Harry C Black growing up. We all knew his love for the lodge. Frank Black followed into the lodge as Theresa went into Eastern Star following their father wishes.

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