‘Bo Cline, R.I.P.’

     

MW Bo Cline, 2013

Very sorry to share the sad news of the death of MW Bro. John R. “Bo” Cline, a friend through The Masonic Society, where he served as our third (2012-14) President, and a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska.

Getting to know him was a big part of the fun of Masonic Week. A sizable contingent from New York would attend (this was years ago), so I knew a bunch of the regulars, but meeting a Brother all the way from Alaska was pretty exotic! It was a pleasure to be in his company. Honestly, he was who you want to picture when thinking of who should be a Freemason, and who a Freemason should be.

During his tenure as Masonic Society President, I found myself in a lot of trouble with my then grand lodge (I’m safely in New York now). The kind of trouble that starkly and instantly reveals who your friends are. A hundred of my close personal friends forgot my name in about thirty seconds, but Bo Cline penned a letter to that grand lodge advocating on my behalf. I think the only immediate effect it made was to give me something to smile about—that “Bo, you kook!” kind of smile—but of course the secondary result was to teach an appreciation for honor at a moment when I believed the fraternity was lacking it.


“The Lambskin, or white apron, was the first gift of Freemasonry to our departed brother. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Freemason. We are reminded here of the universal dominion of death. The arm of friendship cannot interpose to prevent his coming; the wealth of the world cannot purchase exemption; nor will the innocence of youth or the charms of beauty change his purpose.”


Alas, my Brother.