It is with deep sadness that we report on the passing of W. Bro David Pearson PAGDC whilst on vacation with his wife Meg visiting family in Canada.
David the Freemason
David was a prolific Freemason and his record is probably second to none in terms of his work performed both in Lodge and Chapter as well as in his role as Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Scribe Ezra in Middlesex.
His career, however, started in MET when he was initiated into Shanghai Tuscan Lodge No 1027 in October 1986. Within 6 years he was Worshipful Master, a role which he performed four times within that Lodge. His Royal Arch career began in Middlesex when he was exalted into Harrow Chapter No 1310 in September 1995. He was First Principal five times in both MET and Middlesex. In the meantime, David had become a Joining member in 1992 of Harrow Lodge No 1310 (now Harrow Temple in Unity Lodge after amalgamation) and twice served as Worshipful Master, It was obvious that David knew his stuff and was pleased to take on the role.
His first preferment came in 1999 when he was honoured with London Grand Rank. David obviously enjoyed his freemasonry and became a Joining member of Shanghai Tuscan Chapter No 1027 in London and first honours in Chapter came by way of London Grand Chapter Rank in 2010. In Middlesex David became a Provincial Grand Steward in the Royal Arch in 2001 and subsequently ProvAGDC in 2004. More was to follow with ProvDepGSwdB in 2009 and ProvGSN in 2014. Meanwhile David was not idle in Craft and held many non-progressive posts both in London and Middlesex Lodges. Middlesex Craft honours came in 2000 when David was received his first appointment as PPrAGSuptWks, followed by PPrDepGReg in 2007 and PPrJGW in 2014.
Many Lodges and Chapters benefitted from David’s prowess as a freemason particularly in Middlesex and his memberships are a litany in their own right. However, the icing on the cake must have been in 2015 when he was appointed as Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra in the Province of Middlesex. Apart from all the Offices he held during his career, he still found time for extra mural masonic activity and took part in the Prince Michael of Kent Chapter No 9120 Demonstration Team in a playlet which was performed in Middlesex and also in the Provinces of Essex and Buckinghamshire being an enactment of how a Chapter meeting might have conducted its business in 1750. This had been devised by the Past Provincial Third Grand Principal E. Comp Mike Karn. Not only that but David was a member of the Provincial Media Team and reported on many events held at Harrow Masonic Centre. The final accolades came in 2015 when David was promoted in the Royal Arch to PAGDC and then in 2018 to the Craft Grand Rank of PAGDC.
David the Toastmaster
David was also a Toastmaster, and it is a wonder where he managed to get the time to indulge in the many activities which were of interest to him. Being a Toastmaster is a highly prestigious occupation requiring much knowledge of precedence, especially in exalted company, but also ensuring that events at which he participated ran smoothly. Certainly, the role of Toastmaster should not be underestimated, and the course run by the Guild of Toastmasters was possibly quite exacting taking a full ten days to complete.
What better recommendation could you receive than that given by your colleagues. The following is given by a fellow freemason W. Bro Bob Grosse PPrJGW (Herts), a former member of Prince Michael of Kent Lodge 9120, and Toastmaster colleague;
“Those of us who knew David, would not be surprised that he graduated from the 10 day full time course with flying colours and commenced a very successful Toastmaster career. We received quite exceptional feedback from David’s clients, citing him as a lovely man, true gentleman and a tremendous Toastmaster who always showed a caring attitude and an unflappable and organised approach to the role. His style allowed clients to truly enjoy their special day with their guests, in the knowledge that David had his hand on the tiller at all times. Never, formal but organised, David had a strap line for clients “the only thing that will be starchy, will be my shirt”. He had that special ability to rise to the formal events when a more serious line was needed, to relaxing and ensuring that everyone else could relax, when covering even the smallest of family weddings in the local Village or Church Hall.
David leaves behind a legacy of achievement both in freemasonry and in his other pursuits and for those who knew him personally it will be a very sad time.
