Grand
Master's Biography
May 21, 2007
Brother Smith was born in Providence,
Rhode Island on October 10, 1952, the second child and son of the late
Freeman L. and Mildred H. (Wurtz) Smith. He grew up in Riverside, RI
and was educated in the Public Schools system graduating from East
Providence Senior High in 1971. He continued his education in the
Pre-Medical Program at Providence College and received a Bachelor of
Science Degree with a concentration in Business Management in 1975.
He entered
Government Service in 1978 working for the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, Division of Registration as an investigator in the
enforcement side of the Licensing Division and is presently Supervisor
of Investigators for the Office of Investigations.
On October
23, 1982 he was married to Grace Ann Mastropietro of Revere,
Massachusetts who is also employed by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. They presently reside in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
He is
currently a member of the Arnolds Mills United Methodist Church of
Cumberland and has served on various Church committees including
Trustee-Treasurer. While residing in Cumberland, Rhode Island he
served as a member and Past President of the Arnolds’ Mills Community
House. He is a member of the Civil War Reenactors and Historical
Preservation Group, Battery B, 1st RI Light Artillery.
Masonically, brother Smith petitioned Lafayette Lodge No. 47 in 1993,
was raised a Master Mason in June 1994 and signed the bylaws in
September 1994. He served as Master of Lafayette No. 47 from 1998 to
1999. He is also a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 1(P) and Civil War
Research Lodge No. 1865 of Virginia.
He was
appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Southern Masonic District
in 2000 by Most Worshipful Benjamin A. Phillips. He served in the
Northern, East Bay and Metro Districts. He was elected Junior Grand
Warden in 2003, Senior Grand Warden in 2004, Deputy Grand Master in 2005
and Grand Master Elect in November 2006.
Brother
Smith is a member of Providence Chapter No. 1 and Pawtucket Chapter No.
4, Royal Arch Masons and served as High Priest of Pawtucket Chapter in
1999 and 2004. He has served on various Grand Chapter Committees and as
Grand Chaplain from 2003 to 2005. He is a member of the Convention of
Anointed High Priests and the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award
of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, International.
In Cryptic
Masonry, he is a member of Providence Council No. 1 and Pawtucket
Council No. 2, Royal and Select Masters serving as Thrice Illustrious
Master of Pawtucket Council in 2000. He served the Grand Council of
Rhode Island as Grand Marshal in 2001, Grand Chaplain in 2003 and Grand
Lecturer in 2006. He is the recipient of the Ishe Sodi award. He is
the Grand Representative for the State of Louisiana and is a member of
the Order of the Silver Trowel Council of Anointed Kings.
In
Chivalric Masonry he was Knighted in Holy Sepulchre Commandery No. 8 in
1996 and served as Commander in 2000 to 2001. He is a member of Calvary
Commandery No. 13. He has served on various Grand Commandery committees
and is a member of the Grand Commandery Exemplification team. He is a
Past President of the Presiding Councils Club and is a member and Past
Preceptor of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, Massachusetts and
Rhode Island Chapter.
In the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite he is a member of the Valley of
Providence and served as Sovereign Prince of the Council of Princes of
Jerusalem from 2005 to 2007. He was Coroneted an Honorary Member
Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33rd degree in Grand
Rapids, Michigan in 2005. He is a member of the Royal Order of
Scotland.
He is a
member of Rhode Island Shriners, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine and serves on the ceremonial degree team and is a member
of Providence Court No. 71, Royal Order of Jesters. He is a member of
Moslem Grotto, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm and
is presently serving as Marshal.
Other
Masonic service includes membership in Plantations Conclave No. 30, Red
Cross of Constantine serving as Orator. He is a member of Roger
Williams Priory No. 48, Knights York Cross of Honor serving as Herald.
He is a member of What Cheer York Rite College serving as Chancellor.
He is presently Senior Warden of Colonial Council No. 19, Knight Masons
of New England. He is currently Secretary of Renaissance Council No.
429, Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a member and past Registrar of
Damascus Tabernacle No. 26, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and
is presently serving as Seventh Pillar.
Brother
Smith is also a member of Narragansett Bay Chapter No. 14, National
Sojourners. He is a member of Massasoit Forest No. 91, Tall Cedars of
Lebanon. He is a member of Woonsocket Chapter No. 3, Order of Eastern
Star. He is a member of Gaspee Order No. 99, Swords of Bunker Hill. He
is a member of the Ancient Order of Cork, the Masonic Order of Bath and
the Grand College of Rites.
