Eminent Knight Raymond Ernest Holliday, P.Gt.W of R.
21 August 1927 – 19 February 2015
It is with great sadness that the Provincial Priory reports the passing of Eminent Knight Raymond Ernest Holliday.
Bro Ray Holliday gave 66 years of dedicated service to Freemasonry and to his Lodge after he was initiated in Ionic Lodge No 6344 in November 1948.
After acting as Master in 1964, his Provincial Grand Lodge appointment was to the rank of Acting Senior Grand Deacon in 1975 – the highest possible first appointment. His talent and zeal as a mason was recognised by Grand Lodge when he was appointed to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1995 and later promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2003.
He was a very keen Royal Arch Mason after exaltation into Heaton Chapter No 2723 in 1964. His mother Chapter was later erased, causing him to join Ridley Chapter No 2260 until his death. He was also a member of the Northumbrian First Principals Chapter No 3477.
After acting as First Principal of Heaton Chapter in 1973, he was ultimately promoted in Provincial Grand Chapter to the office of Provincial Second Grand Principal in 1998. In Supreme Grand Chapter his first appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1983 was followed by two promotions, to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2007.
He joined our Templar Order when he was installed a Knight in St Oswald Preceptory No 481 in October 1993.
The following year he became a Founder member of Templar Segedunum Preceptory No 586 and acted as its Preceptor in 1997. Accordingly, promotion in Provincial Priory led to appointment in Great Priory to the rank of Past Great Warden of Regalia.
Also a keen member and Past Sovereign of St Oswald Chapter Rose Croix No 300, he was a holder of the 32nd Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite.
His passing at the age of 87 years was mourned by all who knew him and he is greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior