W.BRO. MICHAEL ROSSITER HUGHSON was born on August 29, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Thomas Hughson and Catherine Rossiter. His family moved to the Niagara area and Michael attended local primary and secondary schools, graduating in 1945 from the London Collegiate Institute. He enlisted with the USAAF for a six-month period and then enrolled in the University of Western Ontario, graduating in 1951 with a B.Sc. (Geology).

He worked for a short time with Eldorado Mining and Refining and then took employment for 36 years as a mineralogist with Canada’s Department of Mines (later Energy, Mines and Resources and now Environment Canada), retiring in 1988. Michael branched out from radio-controlled model aircraft into Ham radio, gaining his Advanced Licence in 1974.

His first wife, Nancy (Pascoe) died in 1977. He married Margarite Elizabeth (Karney) in 1988. Worshipful Brother Hughson passed to the Grand Lodge Above on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Masonic Career

In Symbolic Masonry, he was initiated into Civil Service Lodge, No. 148 GRC, Ottawa in 1961 and served as Worshipful Master in 1969. He held the office of Lodge Chaplain from 1994 until his death.

York Rite:
In Capitular Masonry he was exalted in Carleton Chapter, No. 16 GRC, Ottawa in 1962 and was elected as First Principal in 1971 and 1972. He was appointed as Grand Steward in 1975. He held the degree of Virtual Past Master in Mexico City Chapter, No. 135, Mexico, NY (1974). In Knights Templary he was Consecrated in Ottawa Preceptory, No. 32, Ottawa (1963) and was elected as Presiding Preceptor (1969). He was a Knight York Cross of Honour (1972).

In Constantinian Masonry he was a member of St. Justin’s Conclave, Ottawa (1978). In the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, he was a member of Athelstan College, Toronto (1977) and was Governor of St. Aidan’s College, Ottawa at the time of its formation in 1979.

In the Allied Masonic Degrees of Canada he was a member of Medwayosh Council, No. 62 (1977) and was Sovereign Master of Capital City Council, Ottawa, at its formation in 1980. In the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, he was a member of Toronto College (1977) and Past Celebrant of the Ottawa College (1989). He was a member of the Philalethes Society USA, which he had joined in 1977.

In the Cryptic Rite he was a member of Gedeliah Council, No. 16, Ottawa (1963) and was elected as Thrice Illustrious Master (1972). He was a member of the Grand Council of New York Degree of Thrice Illustrious Masters (1976). He was elected to the Grand Executive (1975 and 1976), Grand Principal Conductor of Work (1978) and Grand Deputy Master (1979). At the 80th Annual Assembly of the Grand Council he was elected as Grand Master and served the 1980-81 term.

Scottish Rite:
He was a member of Ottawa Lodge of Perfection (1978), Murray Chapter Rose Croix, Ottawa (1978) and Ottawa Consistory (1978).

Order of the Eastern Star:
He was Worthy Patron of Lorraine Chapter, No. 44 in Ottawa (1991).

Shrine:
He was created a Noble of Rameses Temple, Toronto (1963) and of Tunis Temple, Ottawa (1975). He was a member of the '1^st 1000 Club'.

[Source: The Cryptic Rite in Ontario: The Grand Masters of Royal and Select Masters of Ontario from 1871 to 2004, by Michael Jenkyns, published by Gryphon Jenkyns Enterprises, printed by ASAP Print Innovations, Spring 2005, ISBN 0-9732736-4-X.]