Victor Keene – 60 years a Mason.

The temple in Coventry was filled to bursting.  Why? Simply because one of their own had achieved 60 years of service to Freemasonry in general and Warwickshire in particular.  VWBro Victor Walter Keene MBE PGSwdB PDepProvGM to be precise and the brethren of his Mother Lodge, Trinity No 254, had been joined by a plethora of visitors who had come from near and far to pay tribute to a quite extraordinary man and mason.

It would prove to be an excellent evening, complete with a surprise or two.  VWBro David Butcher’s wife had been taken ill and WBro David Shakeshaft was the last-minute sub but one most certainly up for the task.  As with Warwickshire custom on such occasions, he accepted the gavel from the Master, WBro John Mishtenko, and proceeded to welcome everyone, particularly RWBro Michael Price, and a positive cornucopia of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge officers.  However, rather than opening this august and ancient lodge, he asked that WBro William, aka Bill, Keene – VWBro Victor’s son who had flown in from Alabama specially for the celebrations – occupy the Master’s place and open the lodge, which he did faultlessly.

WBro David then took to the floor for the main item of labour and invited VWBro Victor to join him for a little chat.  Unsurprisingly, he started when it all began – 1935 and Coventry when VWBro Victor came into this world.  The family moved to Solihull during the war and VWBro Victor went to Park Road School.  He particularly remembers going one day to find that the school wasn’t there anymore – overnight it had received a direct hit and was destroyed!  Unfortunately, from the perspective of the young Victor, prefab classrooms were quickly constructed and his education could continue.  This it did with VWBro Victor receiving a scholarship to attend the King Henry VIII School.  He was the first to admit that he was not a star pupil and he left before the 6^th form.  However, his affection for the institution, and one example of his drive for a life of service, led him to become a governor of the school.

He started work for Heals, a furniture manufacturer in London, whilst completing a diploma in management.  This was interrupted when he was called up for National Service.  He joined the RAF and became a fighter plotter.  He requested a posting in the Far East but only managed to get Nantwich!  He returned to civilian life and the family business, a Mutual Clothing and Supply Company set up by his grandfather.  He started at the bottom and being the grandson of the MD certainly didn’t seem to help.  He gradually moved up the ladder and is still a director of the company.

Wanting to spread his wings a little, he sold his Morris 1000 Coupe and headed across the pond to New York.  This proved momentous as, whilst attending the local Methodist Church in Park Avenue, he met Judith Anne Watson.  They fell in love and were married for over 50 joyous years.  The union provided two children, Bill and Mary, and subsequently three grandchildren.

Charity and service has always been a major part of VWBro Victor’s life.  Helping those affected by homelessness features greatly.  He became a trustee of the local almshouses.  He was also involved with an initiative started in his church that morphed into the Carers’ Trust.  Over the years, he has been the Chair of both organisations, such is his commitment to such service in the community.  Unsurprisingly, this was recognised with being made an MBE in 2010.

So, that is Mr Keene but what about Bro Keene?  His father was a member of Trinity so it was in February 1965 when Mr Keene became Bro Keene and another key aspect of his life began.  Like his church, he has found the guiding hand of Freemasonry so important as he progressed through all that life could throw at him.  He is clearly very proud of his Mother Lodge, which is so special (and old – it was consecrated in 1755!!) and has the self-assurance that comes with such experience.  He also rather likes the slightly different Trinity ritual.  His next key step didn’t take place until 1979 when he became Master.

In due time, Province came calling, first with the red apron of a ProvGStwd.  Unusually, he then was presented with a white stick and enjoyed a year as a ProvAGDC.  In due time he became the ProvSGW, then an AsstProvGM before, in 2001, he was appointed as the DepProvGM.  His retirement in 2006 didn’t see any let up in VWBro Victor’s service to Warwickshire as he was tasked with setting up the very successful Visiting Officers’ scheme.  With the quiet assurance of such an experienced and senior Mason, VWBro Victor exhorted all the acting Provincial Officers to enjoy that honour as much as possible and to get out and about around the Province.

WBro Shakeshaft then proceeded to read the certificate before paying tribute to the extraordinary service and contribution made by a true beacon of Masonic values.  Then, with great aplomb, WBro Will Farrell ProvGDC delivered a quite superb (and long!) proclamation to which VWBro Victor suitably responded in typically humble fashion, thanking all for attending.

The assembled throng then retired to the dining room and enjoyed a delightful Festive Board.  There was one more surprise in store as WBro Lad, aka Bill Keene, surprised VWBro Dad with a heartfelt and sincere toast, complete with one or two amusing tales from the life and times of such a extraordinary man and mason – VWBro Victor Walter Keene PGSwdB PDepProvGM.