By Rich Rygh
Brothers from across the state attended the 14th Annual Tom Tourville Interstate Table Lodge on March 21, at the Tomah Masonic Center. The Lodge was opened by District 5 Deputy Nathan H. Randall.
The Tomah Eastern Star Ladies prepared and served an excellent meal.
AEDs were distributed to representatives attending from several lodges. This is part of the safety initiative to put an AED in every building in Wisconsin that houses a Masonic Lodge.
The toasts carried a racing theme: The wine stewards “refueled the cannons”. Brethren start your engines. On your marks, get ready, get set, go, throttle down, take caution, disengage, (the battery) Bugatti, Bugatti, Bugatti.
Grand Treasurer Paul T. Tourville, PGM, described his father Brother Tom Tourville’s love for Freemasonry and how he was a mentor to many Brothers.
Deputy Grand Master Joseph E. Thompson addressed the Brethren, and reflected on how he knew Brother Tom Tourville and how his father Brother Ed Thompson and Brother Tom served as District Deputies 20 some years ago. He remembered what a kind man he was and how he made people feel welcome.
The Deputy Grand Master encouraged Brothers to become mentors and to travel to other lodges to meet many great men. He stressed the importance of becoming active in our communities.
Deputy Grand Master stated, “Be proud to be a Freemason, because the world needs more Freemasons, especially now. Get out there and stir up some good and be the good in the world. I love you Brothers.”
Grand Master Jeffrey S. Schoenfeldt stated, “I never met Bro. Tom Tourville, our paths never crossed. I have come to these table lodges and hear the Brothers speak of their love for this man . . .
I have gotten to know Peter Tourville, our recent past president of the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. The FSTs the AEDs the Jump Bags, the list goes on, all the Acts of Kindness he has been the driver of that.
Then we have Paul, I don’t believe there has been a stronger positive voice for Freemasonry in the 19 years I have been a Freemason. Paul can be credited for a lot of things, but the one thing that really sticks out for me is he brought back pride to Freemasonry. I never met Tom Tourville, but I know he has left an incredible legacy to Wisconsin Freemasonry. We have an incredible gift with the Tourvilles.”
Grand Master Schoenfeldt thanked everyone for coming and being the good in the world.
