Page 90 - PGM Compendium

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.

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