Page 93 - PGM Compendium

1978-79 and selected chairman of the committee by Most Worshipful Brother Toby Johnsen for
1979-1980. He also filled the post as Grand Lecturer pro-tem the same year, when Very
Worshipful Brother John Hendricks was stricken. Most Worshipful Brother Wayne Sparger
appointed Matt his Grand Marshal for the 1980-1981 Masonic Year.

It was during this latter period a pall was cast over Matt's life with the untimely death of his wife,
Betty. They shared 30 years of marriage.

Members of the Grand Lodge elected him Junior Grand Warden in 1981. He progressed to Senior
Grand Warden, Deputy Grand Master and, in 1984, was elected Grand Master by his Brethren. His
path to the Oriental Chair also provided him with the opportunity to again find happiness with his
marriage to Jeannette Monette.
During his tenure as Grand Master, the Grand Lodge team in the course of their travels talked of
Masonry as a Brotherhood, a Brotherhood not of Words but of our Acts and Deeds through the
concept of being a “VIP” – Being Visible, Being Involved, and Participating with the officers and
members of the Constituent Lodges. As Most Worshipful Brother Matt stated in his address to the
Craft: “The most important things we must do as Master Masons, as Lodge Officers, as leaders of
our Craft, is to communicate, be enthusiastic, be ready to be more active, improve our participation
and become more involved. We must constantly preserve and instill greater pride in our Masonic
Fraternity by doing our Lodge work correctly and proficiently.”
Along with his membership in Port Orchard Lodge No. 98, our Past Grand Master is a Charter
Member of Silverdale Lodge No. 311, serving as its Master in 1990. His other Masonic affiliations
include membership in the Bremerton Valley of Scottish Rite of which he is a 33rd Degree
Inspector General Honorary; Royal Arch Chapter No. 27, Council No. 11; and Commandery No.
18, York Rite, all of Bremerton. He is a member of the National Sojourners, Bremerton Chapter,
and Port Orchard Chapter No. 44, Order of Eastern Star. Additionally, our Distinguished Brother
has been honored with Honorary Memberships in many Lodges of this Grand Jurisdiction as well
as Foreign Jurisdictions of the United States.

His hobbies include gardening and landscaping around the home, golf and fishing. Masonry, an
avocation during his working career, has played a dominant role in his retired years. Long
considered a perfectionist by this peers, he has continued his efforts of improving the state of the
Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction and assisting his Brethren wheresoever dispersed.

Most Worshipful Brother Matt Martin's footprints have been indelibly impressed upon the sands
of time in this Grand Jurisdiction. His quest for excellence among his Brethren and his constant
urging of all to be "V.I.P.'s"—Visible, Involved Participants in National, Civic, Community and
Masonic affairs will be long remembered.