Grand Scribe

Richard J. Kessler (Joanne)
716-873-0207
rj1179@gmail.com

RE Richard J. “RJ” Kessler has been a member of the Craft for 18 years. He was raised in Occidental Lodge which consolidated to form Millennium Lodge in 2000. He has been married to his wonderful wife Joanne for thirty-four years. He has two sons Christopher and Jeffrey. RJ is currently the Secretary of his lodge where his son Chris is the Worshipful Master.
He has been very active in Symbolic Masonry. He served as his lodge’s Worshipful Master in 2001 and has been its Secretary since 2004. He has served as President in the local Wardens, Masters and Past Masters Associations. He is currently President of the Erie County Masonic Foundation and the Masonic Purple Association of Erie County He was Assistant Grand Lecturer in 2005 and served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 1st Erie District from 2006 – 2008.
He was exalted in 2002 in “The Tonawanda Keystone Chapter No. 71” in 2002 and instantly began to progress through the chairs. He served as High Priest in 2007. He is an active participant in all of the Royal Arch Degrees. He is also a member of the Fervency and Zeal Team.
He has served as Illustrious Master in Buffalo Keystone Council No. 17 Cryptic Masons in 2005. RJ has served as Treasurer since 2006. He also has the major role in both the Royal and Select Master Degrees. Companion Kessler is also the Secretary of the Grand Council Cryptic Charities Committee. He successfully served as Thrice Illustrious Master on the Anointed Order of King Degree Team. He is a member of Lake Erie Commandery where he is currently Generalissimo.
He is a Scottish Rite Mason since 1984. He served as Sovereign Prince Palmoni Council Princes of Jerusalem in 2006. He has been active in degree work; serving in the capacity of actor as well as director. He is also a member of the Colonial Degree Team. He is the Red Hat designee for 2011.
He served as Grand Sentinel during the term of ME Griffith Jones III. He was appointed earlier this year to join the Progressive Line as Grand Royal Arch Captain. He is also the state-wide chairman of Royal Arch Education for the state of New York. Companion Kessler is also a member of a number of invitational bodies.
Previous to Masonry RJ was very involved in Youth Hockey. He has served as a coach as well as an administrator on local, county and state levels. He currently keeps his hand in hockey as the Treasurer for the New York State West Section.

JANUARY

2 Buffalo Keystone Council No. 17 Ctyptic Masons 7:30
3 East Aurora Chapter No. 282 RAM Installation of Officers
4 Masonic Purple Association of Erie County Executive Board Meeting 7:00
7 Zuleika Grotto Installation of Officers 6:30
9 Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 7:30
11 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 7:30
14 Poughkeepsie Chapter No. 172 ReDedication noon
18 Holy Ark Chapter No. 304 Installation of Officers
20 Permanent Members weekend Utica
21 Permanent Members weekend Utica
24 Tonawanda Keystone Chapter No. 71 Installation of Officers 7:30
25 Robbie Burns Celebration, Hamilton Ontario 7:15
30 Erie County Masonic School of Instruction 8:00

FEBRUARY

1 Masonic Purple Association of Erie County Executive Board Meeting 7:00
6 Buffalo Keystone Council No. 17 Cryptic Masons ROYAL MASTER DEGREE 7:30
7 Zuleika Grotto 8:00
8 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 7:30
11 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 Holiday Party @ Milo's Restaurant 6:00
13 Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 7:30
18 Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 Ladies Night 6:00
22 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 conferral of 2nd Degree 7:30
27 Erie County Masonic School of Instruction 8:00
28 Tonawanda Keystone Chapter No. 71 7:30

MARCH

1-4 Grand Convocation New York State Royal Arch Masons Albany
5 Buffalo Keystone Council No. 17 rehearsal Select Master Degree 7:30
6 Zuleika Grotto 8:00
7 Masonic Purple Association of Erie County Executive Board Meeting 7:00
12 Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 Annual Inspection 7:30
14 Western New York Festive Board Guest Sp[eaker Grand Treasurer William Thomas 6:00 Valley of Buffalo
24 Reception M.E. Ted Harrison, General Grand High Priest General Grand Chapter Newark
26 Erie County Masonic School of Instruction 8:00
27 Tonawanda Keystone Chapter No. 71 RAM
28 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 7:30

APRIL
1 Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast Buffalo Yacht Club
2 Buffalo Keystone Council No. 17 Visit by R.I. Leonard Mason, Conferral Select Master Degree and Election of Officers
3 Zuleika Grotto 8:00
4 Masonic Purple Association of Erie County Executive Board Meeting 7:00
9 Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 Election of Officers 7:30
11 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 7:30
19 - 21 Grand Convocation Ontario Canada
21 Grand Convocation Quebec, Canada
24 Tonawanda Keystone Chapter No. 71 7:30
25 Millennium Lodge No. 1179 7:30
28 reception of M.E. Michael Dunn, Grand High Priest NYRAM
30 Erie County Masonic School of Instruction 8:00

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