John Carter was recognized here last week for 60 years of service to Freemasonry.
On Nov. 25 at the Mercer Lodge, the longtime Fergus resident was presented with his 60-year pin by district deputy Grand Master John Brennan.
“It has been a memorable 60 years,” Carter said in a statement that was read by Lodge master Ray Pearse due to Carter’s difficulty with Parkinson’s disease.
“I now remember the fathers and grandfathers of today’s generation of Masons.”
Carter, 93, was a farmer for many years in former West Garafraxa Township. He served seven years on council there, including one as reeve, and later served two terms on Fergus council. He worked as a property assessor for 23 years, and was interested in Freemasonry at a young age, taking after his father.
Carter was Master of the Mercer Lodge in 1961, the year of the new hall was opened at its current location on St. Andrew Street in Fergus. He filled many roles at the local Masonic Lodge over six decades.
“The Lodge community has been my family for many years, and for that I am grateful,” Carter noted in his statement.
He thanked everyone for their support over the years, and joked that his “worn out 45-year apron is now a heritage symbol.”
