Condolence: "ALAS MY BROTHER"
This evergreen is an emblem of an enduring faith in
the immortality, of the soul. By it we are reminded that
we have a life within us that shall survive the grave, and
which can never die. By it we are admonished that we
also. like our brother whose remains lie here before us,
shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death.
Through our belief in the mercy of God we may confidently
hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring.
This, too, I deposit with our deceased brother.

BRETHREN: We mourn today the
loss of a brother whose spirit has been summoned to
the land where our fathers have gone before us. Again
we behold the narrow house appointed for all the
living, and our thoughts turn to the silent realm, where,
in that peace which the world can neither give nor take
away, lie the unnumbered dead. The sunshine and the
storm pass over them and they are not disturbed. Stones
and lettered monuments symbolize the love of surviving
friends and convey the silent admonition, “Seek ye the
narrow path and the straight gate that lead unto eternal
life.” Again we are called upon to consider the uncertainty
of human life, the absolute certainty of death, and
the vanity of earthly ambition.
Change and decay are written upon every living thing
The cradle and the coffin stand side by side, and it is a
melancholy truth that as soon as live begin to live that
moment also we begin to die. How often the reminders
of mortality cross our path.
The funeral bell tolls in our ears, and the mourners
go about the streets; yet how seldom do we seriously
consider our approaching end. We go on from design
to design, add hope to hope, and layout plans for the
employment of many years. The messenger of death comes when least expected, and at a moment which to
us seems the meridian of our existence. What are all the
externals of human dignity, the power of wealth, or the
charms of beauty when nature has paid her just debt?
View life stripped of its ornaments, and exposed in its
natural weakness, and we see the vanity of all earthly
things save those which go to the growth and perfection
of individual character. In the grave all fallacies are
detected, all ranks are leveled, all distinctions are done
away. Here the scepter of the prince and the of the
beggar lie side by side. Happy, indeed, it for us—and
blessed the agencies which have made it possible—that
while our eyes may be dim with tears as we think of our
departed brother, we may in the sincerity of our hearts,
accord to his memory the commendation of having lived
a useful and exemplary life and as a just and upright
Mason.
And now, my brethren, let us see to it, and so regulate
our lives by the plumbline of justice, ever squaring
our actions by the square of virtue, that when the Grand
Warden of Heaven shall call for us we may be found
ready. Let us cultivate assiduously the noble tenets of
our profession—Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. From
the square learn morality; from the level, equality; and
from the plumb, rectitude of life. With the trowel spread
liberally the cement of brotherly love; circumscribed by
the compasses, let us ponder well our words and actions,
and let all the energies of our minds and the
affections of our souls be employed in the attainment of
our Supreme Grand Master’s approbation. Then, when
our dissolution draws nigh, and the cold winds of death
come sighing around us—and his chill dews already
glisten upon our foreheads—with joy shall we obey the
summons of the Grand Warden of Heaven, and go from
our labors on earth to eternal refreshment in the paradise
of God, where, by the benefit of the pass of a pure
and blameless life, and an unshaken confidence in the
merits of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, shall we gain
ready admission into the celestial lodge where the
Supreme Architect of the Universe presides. There,
placed at His right hand, He will be pleased to pronounce
us just and upright Masons.

Condolence: My mom, Nadine, and I extend our deepest sympathies to the family. In time, the sadness will fade and you will be left with wonderful memories of him.

John was one of my favorites; so funny, so full of energy and life. He always had something to share and his stories were always welcome. I will miss him terribly. I know, though, when I see him again, he'll be there with my dad and all of the rest of the clan, friends, and family, swapping great stories and ready to welcome me.
Until we meet again John,
Eric