A Eulogy given by Bro. Hugh Speed on the occasion of Brother Manson's Memorial Service

16^th January 1926 - 2^nd January 2009

Neil was born in Wick on 16^th Jan 1926 where he spent most of his early years. He moved to the Clackmannan area in the early 1940s where he worked as a fitter in the local boatyard where he met his wife Lizzie to whom he was married for 60 years.

He was a member of the Lodge of Alloa No 69 for over 58 years. And was Master of the Lodge and a Past Master for more that 40 years.          He held a record in the Lodge of having been involved in either being installed in office or installing Office Bearers for 58 consecutive years. He was until his death the oldest and longest serving Past master of the Lodge.

He went on to be elected as a member of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire 36 year ago and attained the position of Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden 1982-83. Neil was held in very high esteem amongst the Brethren of the Province.

He was a Member of St Johns Royal Arch Chapter No 96 in Alloa but did not progress in office due to work and other Masonic commitments.

He joined the Preceptory of St Mungo’s in Alloa on 25^th February 1960 and was Venerable Preceptor in 1979-81 He also served as Secretary for a short time and Treasurer for many years. He held the position of District Grand Seneschal under the then District Grand Prior Robert Finnie which he highly prized as he was a great admirer of Robert. He also held rank as Honorary Grand Provost of The Great Priory of Scotland.

 He was a member of The Forth Valley Tabernacle which until his illness was a regular attendee.

Neil was a member of the Forth Valley Sovereign Chapter and Council and was a regular attendee at both and although he did not hold office often said that if he had joined earlier in life, he would have loved to have held high office in both orders.

Neil was a genial man and mason, well respected in all his orders and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his wife Lizzie, his son Colin and his wife Peggy and family on their sad loss.