Local Mason receives highest honor for charitable work
Published on December 26th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA- Leon C. Kazarjian, Sr., a lifetime resident of Stoneham, and Past-Master of Stone-ham's King Cyrus Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (AF&AM), was awarded by the members of his lodge the highest award they could bestow, the Joseph Warren Meritorious Service Medal. He was presented the award at a recent communication of the Lodge held at the Reading Masonic Apartments by District Deputy Grand Master Edward Leeds of the 7th Malden Masonic District. Observing the presentation was a full Lodge of family, friends, and Masons from throughout the District.
I can almost hear, "Ho hum, another award given by the old boy network to one of their own."
Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. No Masonic Lodge in the Commonwealth of Massachu-setts lightly bestows a Joseph Warren medal on one of its members. "Charity" being amongst the highest calling of the fraternity, only the most exemplary lifetime service is so rewarded. To put it in other terms; if Wor. Kazarjian had not devoted himself to years of visiting the sick, providing solace to Lodge widows during the Holidays, transporting the elderly, and being the Major Domo for many years of the 7th Masonic District Hospital Equipment Loan Program (SMD), not only Stoneham but the entire 7th Malden and Melrose combined, Masonic Districts would have been a very much poorer place for their citizens to reside.
Leon was one of the original founders of the Medical Equipment Loan Program. Every Saturday for many years he would preside and direct the repair of donated medical equipment such as wheelchairs, beds, adjustable tables, walkers and what have you. During the week he would frequent medical supply outlets to purchase the necessary items with which to effect the repairs. His expertise was imparted to hundreds of Masonic Brethren who were scheduled by their Lodges to give a portion of their time in assisting in making the repairs.
One of the joys he himself experienced was to have his good friend Rt. Wor. Harold Mew, another original founder of the project, present when he received the Medal. Two weeks later, Harold, who actually ran the Hospital Equipment Program, passed from this existence to the Celestial Lodge above. To put his loss in terms that ordinary folk might appreciate, Harold was a beautiful (no-nonsense) Soul. Buddhists might regard such an individual as a Bodhisattva, Christians would likely term such as he a Saint.
I had the privilege of being at the SMD when Leon was informed, by Harold's son, that Harold had passed. The son said, "It now time to celebrate a life well spent." What father could receive higher praise from his progeny?
Masonry is effectively the model by which the Earth can preserve the human species. The concept of "What is God?" has proven to be a dividing factor in human affairs throughout recorded history. Comprised of millions of members world-wide, Masonry alone asks only one thing of those who apply for membership: "Do you believe in a Supreme Being?" If answered in the affirmative, it matters not if an individual is of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian or any other faith. Once the age-old ritual of initiation has been completed (at present more than 6,000 years and counting), the resulting Master Mason sits with his Brethren of all faiths as a Brother. Though the circumstances of nationality might interfere in times of hostility, the Mason required to fight his brother Mason does so out of national duty and not out of lasting rancor.
What then is the member's reward for faithful service to the operative philosophy of Masonry? Though no guarantees can be given, those who serve their fellow man are likely to lead lasting and active lives. Harold was 87 when he passed. He was very much alive to within 24 hours of his demise. His is not a remarkable example. Though folk wisdom holds that the good die young (and such does happen with the death of innocents in sufficient frequency to keep the myth alive), in fact the reverse is very much the proven course. It is the miserly, hateful, and uncaring who are reaped in relative youth in untold numbers, while those who serve their fellows, being but a handful, are rewarded with long, vibrant and truly rewarding lives.
King Cyrus Lodge is presently enjoying its 125th year of existence. If you wish to share in the solution to the present turmoil faced by humanity, please call Wor. Richard W. Wallace, at (781) 438-3005, or Wor. Paul Craigie, at (781) 438-8919.
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