Historian - September 2008

In the last couple weeks the memory of my old friend George has come to my mind several times. The first time was when I was walking through Building 92 on the Shipyard. It’s the large structural shop that George worked out of as a well-liked Shipfitter Foreman in Shop 11. A Shipfitter plans, manufactures, installs, removes and repairs structural assemblies aboard Navy vessels. George was a great shipfitter and proudly wore a gold hard hat which made him appear even taller than he was already. He had a wonderfully distinctive laugh and was always jolly, especially when we met each other during the day. He retired from the Shipyard in 1994 after twenty years of service and following a highly distinguished naval career during which he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and of course, the Cold War. He retired from the Navy in 1974 as a Chief Petty Officer.

The second time was when we were driving along Winona Road in New Hampton, NH. My family and I were on our way to Franconia State Park and the Flume Gorge and rather than travel up Route 93 like most people would, I was taking a shortcut through the middle of New Hampshire. We passed by Lake Winona where George and his family enjoyed a waterfront summer camp. George was always so happy to spend time at his camp which had lots of windows overlooking the lake. He talked with me about it often and I always enjoyed hearing him tell about how he would take his small boat out onto the lake to fish and to listen to the loons.

Winona Road ends in Ashland where George grew up and graduated from High School in 1951. Ashland is in Grafton County nestled within the Lakes Region and adjacent to the White Mountain National Forest – it’s the geographical center of New Hampshire. It really is a beautiful little town that boasts of easy access to scenic views of Little Squam Lake, the original “On Golden Pond.” We proceeded along Main Street in Ashland and passed by Green Grove Cemetery where a number of us from St. John’s Lodge helped lay George to rest on April 26, 2004.

Before having to leave us on April 21, 2004, George enjoyed 45 wonderful years of marriage with his truly beloved wife Mary Ann. They had two daughters, Frances Ellen and Charlene (whom I had the privilege of going to school with). George often spoke to me of wanting to be the first of the Flanders men to live long enough to see his grandchildren. He not only saw them, he enjoyed them for several years! During those years he often told me about how proud he was of his grandsons George and Brian.

Brother George Newton Flanders was born in Plymouth, NH on July 18, 1932. He joined Mount Prospect Lodge No. 69 in Holderness on February 21, 1957 and while maintaining his membership there, he affiliated with St. John’s Lodge No. 1 on January 25, 1984. He was very active in all aspects of Masonry, not only in Portsmouth, but around the state as well. He was especially fond of the York Rite in which he was one of our 4-Star Generals (having been the head of all of the bodies in Portsmouth). I’m sure he was most proud of being elected and installed the 130th Master of St. John’s Lodge for the year 1990.

George was a great man, a great Mason, and a dear friend. The memory of him always makes me smile.

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