Mason honored for over 70 years of service

GREENVILLE — On July 26 DDGM Herb Libby and Worshipful Bo Howard presented Walter Elden Crossman Jr. with his four Masonic Stars to go along with his 50-year service medal, denoting 70 years of service. Crossman actually has 72 years of service with the Masonic Body.

Contributed photo

DECADES OF MASONIC SERVICE — Walter Elden Crossman Jr., front, was recently presented with four Masonic Stars to go along with his 50-year service medal, having served 72 years with the Masonic Body. Pictured with Crossman are, from left, Fraternal Brothers John Roberts and Fred Owens, Senior Warden of Columbia Doric Lodge Steve Mason, Brother Gordon Crossman, DDGM Herb Libby and Master of Columbia Doric Lodge Worshipful Bo Howard.

He was born on April 12, 1922 in Greenville Junction. He married Sylvia Helen Inman on June 21, 1941. Crossman served in the U.S. Navy (Seabees) in the Pacific during World War II. His last military battle was Okinawa, Japan. He worked in the shipyard in South Portland prior to entering the U.S. Navy in 1943.

Crossman has been employed as a mechanic for Great Northern Paper Company at the Greenville Junction shop, a deputy sheriff for Piscataquis County, a restaurant manager, garage owner and a bus driver for Hasey’s. He has spent most of his life in Greenville Junction. Crossman enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He has two daughters, Muriel and Sarah, and a son, Carlton.

On Feb. 8, 1944 Crossman was initiated into Masonry. He passed Feb. 22 and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on April 11, 1944 in Columbia Lodge #200 of Greenville. He was master of his lodge in 1972 and 1973.

At the July 26 presentation Crossman was blessed with 20 relatives and friends. Relatives include his daughters and son, brother Gordon and his wife Barbara, nephews and niece Tim, Jim, Dennis, Matt, Lori and her husband Joe and daughter Amanda.

Masonic friends present were DDGM Libby, Master of Columbia Doric Lodge Howard, Senior Warden of the Lodge, Worshipful Steve Mason and Fraternal Brothers John Roberts and Fred Owens.