December 28,2009 BOSTON, MA – Gerard A. Bergeron of Acushnet was installed a District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts at the fraternity’s Boston headquarters and will preside over nine lodges in the 19^th Masonic District for the year. The 38,000 Freemasons and 232 lodges in the Commonwealth are organized into 32 Districts, each lead by a District Deputy Grand Master.

A Grand Lodge is the governing body that ensures the activities of the lodges and members comply with its Constitutions and Regulations; it also maintains the uniformity of the centuries-old initiation ceremony candidates experience when they become members. The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts is the oldest Grand Lodge in the Western Hemisphere and the third oldest in the world. It was chartered in 1733, following the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, and Ireland in 1725. In 2008 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts marked its 275^th Anniversary.

As a District Deputy Grand Master, Bergeron is appointed by the Grand Master to serve as his personal representative to the lodges in the District. The Grand Master is the presiding officer in the state. Roger W. Pageau of Northborough, MA was installed for the third of his three one-year terms as the 86^th Grand Maser of Masons in Massachusetts during the same ceremony.

The 19th Masonic District is comprised of the following lodges: Abraham H. Howland, Jr. Lodge, Quittacus Lodge, and Star In The East Lodge, New Bedford; George H. Taber Lodge, Fairhaven; King Philip Lodge and Massasoit-Narragansett Lodge; Fall River; Noquochoke Lodge, Westport; Pythagorean Lodge, Marion; Social Harmony Lodge, Wareham.

Raised in Acushnet, Bergeron attended New Bedford High School. He is a Fire Fighter EMT-I with Acushnet Fire Rescue.

In 1977 he began his Masonic career by joining Wamsutta (now Star in the East) Lodge.  He served as the Worshipful Master, or presiding officer, in 2004 and 2005. Masons use the original definition of “worshipful, meaning “honorable”; English mayors and judges are still addressed as “Worshipful.”  As District Deputy Grand Master, Bergeron will be called “Right Worshipful.” He is also a member of Massasoit-Narragansett Lodge and Quittacus Lodge.

A member of several Masonic organizations, he belongs to Aleppo Shriners, Wilmington and is the Lieutenant of the Medical Corps. He is also a member of the three York Rite bodies: Adoniram Royal Arch Chapter, New Bedford, and St. Marks Royal Arch Chapter, Taunton; New Bedford Council of Royal and Selected Masons; and, Sutton Commandery #16.

Freemasonry seeks to bring together men of every country, religion, race, level of education, income, and opinion and develop the bonds of friendship between them.  Through a large variety of North American Masonic philanthropies, approximately $3,000,000 is given to charity every day, 70% of which benefits the general public.  During its initiation ceremony, which uses symbolism and allegory, its members are encouraged to value principles, ethics, and morality and to live their lives accordingly.  By “making good men better,” Freemasonry positively benefits its members, families and communities.  The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts represents 38,000 members and more than 235 lodges throughout the Commonwealth.  For additional information, please call 800.882.1020, or visit massfreemasonry.org.