Eminent Knight Michael John Louis,
PGtStdB (B)
07th July 1944 – 21st September 2023
Just a couple of days ago we learned of the tragic death, at the age of 79 years, of one of our Province’s most prolific and well known Freemasons. Mike Louis succumbed to the ill health he had been battling whilst being cared for in Scarborough Court Care Home.
Mike was initiated into Freemasonry in Shiremoor Lodge No 6921 on 26th February 1974, meaning he was just six months short of achieving his 50th year in masonry.
During his long and varied career he was a Founder of the John Stevenson Lecture Lodge No 9571 and a member of Lodge Vandaleur No 3586, the Northumbrian Masters Lodge No 3477, Northumberland Lodge No 685, and, at the time of his death, Ocianus Lodge No 8329.
First taking the Master’s Chair in Shiremoor Lodge in 1983, he was also Master of the John Stevenson Lecture Lodge in 1997 and the Northumbrian Masters Lodge in 2008.
His first Provincial appointment in 1992 was to the Acting rank of Provincial Senior Grand Deacon before promotion in 1995 to Provincial Senior Grand Warden – respectively the highest first appointment and promotion ranks attainable.
This led to Grand Lodge appointment as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1998 before promotion to Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2012.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted in Addison Potter Chapter No 2571 on 1st January 1976, and variously joined the Northumbrian First Principals Chapter No 3477, Vandaleur Chapter No 3586 and Ridley Chapter No 2260. In our Knight Templar Order, he was installed in Chibburn Preceptory No 232 on 8th February 1985, but in 2012 he left to join the St George of Throckley Preceptory No 525. He had been Preceptor of Chibburn in 1995 and after appointment as Provincial Standard Bearer, Provincial Almoner and Past Provincial Second Constable, he received his first Great Priory appointment to Past Great Chamberlain in 2010 before promotion to Past Great Standard Bearer (B) in 2018.
During this time he acted as our Provincial Prelate for ten years from 2011, playing a leading role in our Annual Templar and Malta meetings as well as in our Church Services.
He held high office in almost all of the other Orders of which he was a member. He joined the Mark in Northumberland and Berwick upon Tweed Mark Lodge T.I. in 1977 and, having taken the Chair in 1987 he received several Provincial appointments and promotions, culminating in his being appointed as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for nine years from 2000. To reflect this, he was promoted in Grand Mark Lodge to the rank of Past Grand Junior Overseer.
He joined the Royal Ark Mariners in Whitley RAM Lodge in 1980, but moved to Tristram Lodge of RAM where he was Worshipful Commander in 1996, leading ultimately to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 2000.
In Provincial Grand Chapter he was appointed to Provincial Grand Registrar in 1995, promoted to Acting Provincial Third Grand Principal in 1997, leading to Grand Chapter appointment to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2001 and promotion to Past Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2010.
In the Ancient and Accepted Rite, he was perfected in St Alban’s at Earsdon Chapter Rose Croix No 861, later joining Royal Kent Chapter No 8. He held the 32nd Degree within the Order.
He joined the Red Cross of Constantine in King Oswald’s Conclave No 316 in 1990, moving to the Prior’s Haven Conclave No 410 where he was Sovereign in 1997, and eventually settling in Bishop Acca Conclave No 333. After Divisional appointment, he received appointment and promotion in Grand Imperial Conclave, first to Grand Herald in 2008, and then to Past Grand Chamberlain in 2012.
In the Royal and Select Masters he joined the Order in 1989 in Northumbria Council No 160, and was a Founder of Prior’s Haven Council No 173 in 1992. After several District appointments, culminating in him acting as Deputy District Grand Master, from 2012 – 2015, he was promoted in Grand Council to Past Grand Councillor.
He was, briefly, a member of the Order of the Secret Monitor as a member of the Heart of Glendale Conclave No 239, but left after a few years, never having taken office.
He was, finally, a member of King Edwin Lodge No 7 in the Knights Beneficent of the Holy City from 2010, attaining the 6th Degree in 2016.
Perhaps one thing that Mike will be most remembered for is his talent as an organist. At a time when musical skills are waning within Freemasonry, Mike freely gave of his time and expertise to act as Organist for a number of masonic units and our meetings in the future will be much the poorer for the lack of his talent. He will be greatly missed in all our future meetings in all the Orders of which he was a member.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior