Masonry My Journey through

By David P. Lynch

Following my return home from serving in the United States Marine Corps, Masonry was nowhere to be found on my life’s plan. My father, who was a Chicago Police Commander, asked me what plans I had for the rest of my life. That’s when I decided to become a union carpenter, rather than take a beating if I wanted to become a policeman. Yes, my father did threaten me, and he was only 5 foot 8 inches and about 170 pounds. Every son thinks at one time or another that he can whip his dad even though you always look up to your father. Anyway, that thought left my head in a hurry. My father said the police force was not what it used to be and anyway I was not really interested in it.

In 1970 I started working as a residential framing carpenter and then moved to commercial carpentry. I was a foreman in both areas responsible for reading the blueprints and directing my crew to get the jobs completed. After many years of rough work and a job site accident, I had to have a knee replacement, which kept me from returning to the construction industry that I had so much enjoyed. I was then sent to Building and Fire Code Academy to learn code enforcement and get certifications in that industry. I received several International Code Council certifications in the building industry. That led me to serve as a Building Commissioner for a municipality issuing building permits, enforcing building codes, setting a budget, and supervising staff members in the various duties of the department. An office job just was not me and I did not really care for political things that seem to go with such a position. A friend of mine who was a vice president of a construction company called me and inquired about me to coming to work for him. The position I accepted was as a Field Superintendent reading blueprints, being responsible for organizing the various building trades, building structures from the start to the occupancy phase, and making sure everything was according to the plans and done according to my high standards. I retired not by choice but by Doctor’s order in 2009 after the second knee replacement.

It was during my employment as a construction carpenter at Illinois Masonic Medical Center (now Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center) in 1980 when the hospital wanted to start their own in-house construction department that Masonry first appeared on my radar. After a few years of working there I was approached by a Mason in the engineering department where we both worked. He asked me if I ever considered becoming a Mason. When asked by the Editor what he thought about the request, Brother Dave replied “I knew nothing about Masonry, absolutely nothing and that I was not interested.” I had been involved in various community service projects, so I was comfortable being out and about in my community. As in every important opening or rededication of a building, the Masonic Fraternity always has a ceremony. The hospital dedicated a new wing called The Olsen Center or Center Court. I was asked by that Mason to work that day making sure everything went well. The Mason, who was the carpenter maintenance foreman, was the person who asked me to work. I immediately said I would work, that being a Saturday which meant more pay. Senator Bob Dole, a Mason, was the guest speaker and the Medinah bagpipers were performing at the ceremony. Because the Shriners were known for their hospitals for children and for playing Santa on the pediatric ward each Christmas, I wanted to be part of the Shriners and learn what they did. I asked a Shriner how to become a Shriner. He told me I had to become a Mason first and that was the start of this fantastic journey. I wish I had known about Masonry earlier than in my thirties. The following Monday morning I visited with that co-worker, that Mason, who first approached me, and explained how I could join. Worshipful Brother Mario Massero was that fellow worker, who went on to become my mentor, a great friend and a second father to me. “Brother Mario had a major influence on me, and I respected the manner in which he treated people,” David said. Brother Massero was a Scottish Rite Mason and not yet a Shriner. After joining Masonry I started through the chairs and after a few years he asked me if I wanted to become a Scottish Rite Mason. I said yes and finally became a Shriner. Brother Mario said he would join the Shrine with me which meant a lot to me. After retiring, he moved to Arizona, but we never lost touch with each other. I know that many of you may have had a relationship similar to this but I will never forget him and his lovely wife.

I never dreamed of becoming a Grand Lodge Officer when I was raised in New Triangle Lodge No. 797 on February 16, 1987, serving as Worshipful Master in 1992 and 1995. I was elected Secretary of New Triangle Lodge in May of 1998 and through a Lodge consolidation became a member of Crete Lodge No. 763 Crete, Illinois, where I still serve as Secretary. I served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1995 to 2000, as Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master from 2003 to 2011, and as Area Deputy Grand Master from 2011 to 2014; all for the Northeastern Masonic Area. I was not successful in my first application for the position of Junior Grand Deacon but applied a second time in 2014 after being asked several times to reapply and was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in October of that year. That was followed by serving as Senior Grand Deacon and eventually being elected Junior Grand Warden of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois in October 2017 and then as Senior Grand Warden in October of 2019. I am extremely excited and anxious about our upcoming Grand Lodge Annual Communication, where God willing and the membership approves, I will become Deputy Grand Master. I know I will do the best I can and pray that I get good direction from Him who does all things well and encouragement from my fellow Grand Lodge officers and Brethren.

I am a member of several appendant Masonic organizations, including the Valley of Chicago, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite, El Jaala Grotto, and Medinah

Shriners. I am also a charter member of Green Dragon Lodge No. 821, Elmhurst, Illinois, Jacques DeMolay Lodge UD, Elmhurst, Illinois, and honorary member of various other Lodges in Illinois. In May of 2011 I became a Certified Lodge Instructor and was honored in 2014 to be named Mason of the Year at our Grand Lodge Annual Communications.

I married my best friend and a beautiful lady named Judith (nee Moore) on May 25, 1975. It is a wonder she married me because on our first date I feel asleep on her. We have two children, Michael and his lady Vanessa, Michelle and her husband, Sean Kearns, two granddaughters Abigail and Isabella, and a grandson, Owen. Our main hobby is bass fishing which started in 1980 after two friends took me bass fishing, followed shortly after by the purchase of our first bass boat. My wife got involved in fishing as did our children at an exceedingly early age. We are now on our fourth bass boat (expensive hobby with all the rods, reels and lures and other equipment you buy because you must have “stuff”) and our whole family still takes vacations centered around fishing (now teaching the grandchildren to bobber fishing and to enjoy the sport), swimming, and enjoying each other as a remarkably close family. My wife and I reside outside Monee, Illinois, in the second home I designed, and one my wife and I built together. There is an old saying that your marriage will last forever after you build your home together. We believe that our life is directed by a higher authority and we thank Him for every good thing we have and the direction and blessings He has given us.

I really enjoy being a Mason and I wish every Brother would strive to be the best he can be in Masonry because it has a lot to offer. You need to reach for it and search for it because it’s not going to be handed to you. I hope that your goals are set on advancing to the greater steps in the Fraternity because that is where you will learn what Masonry is and that other Masons you meet along the journey are worth more than gold. v

R. W. Brother David P. Lynch, Senior Grand Warden

R.W. Brother Edward Walker, Editor