Saturday, January 2, 2021: Open Installation of Officers for 2021

(L-R  Richard Hightower, Buck Owens, Jim Charrette, Joe Sosa, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Steve Johnson, Cozy DeRosa, Tim Delaney, and David Neville)

Gulf Beach Lodge’s Officer Installation was held today with Brothers, friends, and family in attendance in person, as well as virtually, as the Installation was streamed live via Facebook Live for the first time!

  • W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak was installed as the 2021 Worshipful Master of Gulf Beach Lodge.
  • Brother Steve Johnson as Senior Warden.
  • Brother Joe Sosa as Junior Warden.
  • W∴ James Charrette as Treasurer.
  • Brother Cozy DeRosa as Chaplain.
  • Brother Richard Hightower as Marshall.
  • Brother Buck Owens as Junior Deacon.
  • and Brother Tim Delaney as Senior Steward.

It was also made note of that the Secretary, W∴ Dave Neville, has been previously installed, and that the installations of Senior Deacon, Junior Steward, Tiler, and Musician shall occur at a later date.

The Installation Team was composed of:

  • R∴W∴ Michael Rhoades – Installing Officer
  • W∴ Dave Neville – Installing Marshall
  • W∴ Oscar Salazar – Installing Chaplain
  • W∴ Joe Finocchiaro – Installing Musician

Some other highlights include:

  • W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak presented his girlfriend with a bouquet of flowers.
  • R∴W∴ Michael Rhoades was presented with an Honorary Membership to Gulf Beach Lodge and remarked that he was honored to receive it, and in addition, that this was the first time (and we venture to guess not the last) that an Honorary Membership from a Lodge was presented to him.
  • W∴ Pat Lynch, the now Junior Past Master, was presented with his Past Master’s Apron and Past Master’s Jewel.

In addition, last year’s Funeral Lodge was closed with special mention of the eight dearly departed Brothers this past year. A new Funeral Lodge was also duly opened and adjourned.  All in all, it was a well conducted Installation and the newly Installed Officers of 2021 would like to thank all of those in attendance, either virtually or in-person, as well as acknowledge all the well wishes sent to us. We look forward to serving the Lodge in 2021, and in the words of our newly installed Worshipful Master, Mark Sawa-Szostak, leave the Lodge better than we found it.

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge, No. 291, F & A M