Less than a month after celebrating his 90th birthday, Raynold R. Boorman was laid to his eternal rest following an impressive funeral at St. John's Anglican Church, Pembroke.

He was given full Masonic rites at his grave in the church yard. He was a pillar in Scottish Rites, a ritualist of the first order, who held his fellow brethren in awe at his quick and powerful memory and his genial disposition.

Possessed of a warm and friendly personality, Ray never married. He was born on December 4, 1919 in the Royal Naval Dockyard at Ireland Island where his father was a police officer.

He trained as a carpenter; and was cultivated in the social graces by his mother Hilda, who was an instructor in the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Hamilton.

It was in the Dockyard that this writer got to know Ray Boorman. He was just completing his apprenticeship, and I was trying to make my way in a man's world.

The Immediate Past R.W. Grand Superintendent of Scottish Lodges in Bermuda, Bro. Lawrence Davis, eulogising Bro. Boorman at his funeral, said his Masonic career spanned many years, which was an achievement in itself.

It began on January 1, 1947 when his application for membership in Lodge Civil & Military No. 726 "was passed in a generous spirit". New Years Day was no official holiday in that era.

He was installed Master of his lodge on November 30, 1951; and became Director of Ceremonies. His energetic pursuit of his work in the craft merited him elevation to honorary grand rank and membership in the Grand Lodge of Bermuda as the Junior Grand Warden.

In 1985 the lodge awarded him "Distinguished Service Membership".

Among other things Bro. Ray was a Founder Member of Lodge Somers Isle No. 1503, GRS. Many of its members attended his funeral.

He was also a Past Grand Chancellor of the Royal Arch and was very active in all the Higher Degrees, being a 32nd Degree in The Rose Croix and a Past Grand Senior Warden of the Royal Order of Scotland.

He was active in the Loyal Order of The Eastern Star, working with the Ladies from their inception as an auxiliary in Bermuda, being a Worthy Patron.

His other love was with the Meals on Wheels charity. As a volunteer he was one of their most reliable and knowledgeable drivers, distributing meals to the homes of cancer patients, until his eyesight began to fail. Glowing tributes to him were forthcoming from his closest friends in that charity, Gladys Maderios, Ingrid Simmons and Carolyn Copeland.