On the 28th of February 2025, the Province of Middlesex lost not just a Brother, but a beacon of Masonic dedication. W. Bro. Donald Maurice George Robins—Don to those who knew and loved him—passed peacefully to the Grand Lodge above at Barnet General Hospital. At 105 years of age, he was our longest-serving Brother, leaving behind an awe-inspiring legacy of 84 years in Freemasonry.
Initiated into Hadley Highstone Lodge No. 4203 on the 10th of April 1941, Don was just 21 years old when he first took his obligation. Little could anyone have known then that his journey in the Craft would stretch across eight decades, spanning two centuries and witnessing generations of Brethren pass through the doors of the Lodge he held so dear.
Don served as Worshipful Master in 1960, and again—symbolically and spiritedly—in 2003, aged 83. Yet it was his long tenure as Director of Ceremonies that most defined his love of ritual, order, and the deep traditions of the Lodge room. His steady hand and guiding presence helped shape the Masonic experience for countless Brethren.
In 2008, he was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge, a fitting recognition of his unwavering loyalty and exceptional service.
Even in advancing years, Don remained engaged. He was present at the Lodge’s November 2019 meeting, aged 100, where he was honoured in the presence of the Assistant Provincial Grand Master. A moving résumé of his life and service was shared—an emotional tribute to a man whose story had become legend.
During the pandemic, in 2021, Don achieved what few ever could: 80 years in Freemasonry. The Province, in a mark of rare respect, commissioned a special 80-year lapel pin just for him. It was presented at his home, alongside a personal letter from the Provincial Grand Master. True to the spirit of the Craft, his Brethren gathered to celebrate the moment with warmth and brotherly love.
Hadley Highstone Lodge never lost touch. Don was more than a name on the summons—he was a cherished part of the Lodge’s fabric. On his 105th birthday, members visited him with his favourite cake and his preferred tipple, marking the occasion with affection and smiles.
It is hard to put into words the measure of a man like W. Bro. Don Robins. His life was not only long but full of grace, humility, dedication, and fraternal love. He stood as a living link to our Masonic past and an enduring example of how one man’s quiet constancy can inspire generations.
May the Great Architect of the Universe welcome our Brother Don with open arms. His tools now laid to rest, his labour done, may he find refreshment in the Celestial Lodge above.
Rest well, Don.
You will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever honoured.
