Albert Partridge Burgess
2004
On May 15, 2004, brother Albert Partridge Burgess was installed as 109th Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of New Hampshire. Tragically, he passed away the following day, losing his battle with cancer, after serving as the leader of the 8000 Freemasons in New Hampshire for less than 30 hours.
Brother Burgess was born July 25, 1940 in Montclair, New Jersey, one of 3 boys born to Francis S. and Constance (Partridge) Burgess. He attended elementary schools in Montclair, Glenridge, East Orange and Newark, New Jersey and graduated from East Orange High School in 1958. He attended Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey where he graduated in 1962 with a is for.
He went to work at the Colonial Life Insurance Company of America in 1958. The company underwent several changes in ownership throughout the years of his employment, the latest being Jefferson Pilot Financial, from which he retired in 1998. In 1978 he earned the professional designation of fellow of the Society of Actuaries and in 1979 he became a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
On May 18, 1963 he married Carol M. Bengston of Worcester, Massachusetts. They adopted 2 children; Glenn A. Burgess and Kristin M. Burgess. Glenn blessed them with 2 grandchildren, April and Kyle.
Brother Burgess was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Manchester and had served for 7 years on the Church Council at Concordia Lutheran Church of Concord, New Hampshire.
He had been a Webelo Cub Scout leader and was an assistant coach forced baseball, basketball and softball while his children were in school. He served in the United States Army Reserve from July 1962 until June 1968.
A talented individual with an exceptionally brilliant mind, he enjoyed things that would otherwise tax the mental capabilities of most people. He created many pieces of beautiful counted cross-stitch needlework and the walls of his home are adorned with these creations done by both he and his wife, Carol. He enjoyed cryptic crossword puzzles, chess, bridge and intricate computer games. The more challenging it was, the better he liked it.
He was a member of Priscilla Chapter No. 51, Order of the Eastern Star of Penacook, and was serving his fourth term is Worthy Patron at the time of his death.
Brother Burgess became a Mason and Horace Chase Lodge No. 72 of Penacook and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on April 7, 1984. He served the Lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1992 and 1993 and was a trustee of the Lodge from 1996 until his death. He was an affiliated member of Rising Star Lodge No. 47 of Newmarket and Saint James Lodge No. 102 of Hampton.
He served as District Deputy grand lecturer for the 4th Masonic district in 1994 and as District Deputy Grand Master in 1995. In May 1996 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, progressed through the several line offices, and on May 15, 2004 was selected and installed as the 109th Grand Master. For service to his Lodge and Masonry he was awarded the Major General John Sullivan Distinguished Service Medal in bronze on April 13, 1996 and New Hampshire Masonry’s highest award, the Jeremy Ladd Cross Medal, on November 16, 2002.
Brother Burgess was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of the Valley of Concord and the New Hampshire Consistory. He was also a member of the York Rite bodies in Concord. He was a member of the General William Whipple Military Lodge; Anniversary Lodge of Research No. 175; Scenic Council No. 37, Knight Masons and Gaspé Order No. 99, Swords of Bunker Hill. He had been awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor and was a member of the Masonic home Board of Trustees.
Brother Burgess was destined to be remembered one day is a great Grand Master. Unfortunately, he never got the chance to demonstrate his abilities in that high office. He was a gentle man, and the fraternity and mankind has suffered a great loss as the result of his passing.
So mote it be.
