It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of W Bro Jeffrey (Jeff) Ronald Lowe PJGD PProvGChStwd to the Grand Lodge Above on 30th April 2025 aged 88 years.
WBro Jeff was initiated into Eleanor Cross Lodge No.1764 on 9 January 1976, progressing through to become WM in 1987. He was appointed as a Provincial Grand Steward in 1989 and became a member of the Palmer Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards No.8995 and was honoured to be WM in 2002.
He served for over 15 years as Eleanor Cross Lodge Charity Steward, which led to him being appointed as Provincial Grand Charity Steward in 1992, a post he held until 2002, running a very successful Festival appeal. He was appointed to Grand Rank in 1996, as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and was promoted to Past Junior Grand Deacon in 2003.
Exalted into the Eleanor Cross Chapter No. 1764 in 1978, he served as Scribe Ezra of the Chapter for five years until 1986, and was installed as MEZ in 1991. He was appointed Provincial Grand Registrar in 1994, and promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1999. He also received Chapter Grand Rank in 2001 as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2012.
Installed into the Victory Preceptory No. 207 in 1981, he served as Registrar from 1984 until 1991, was installed as Emminent Preceptor in 1994 and served as Marshall for many years. He was appointed Provincial Standard Bearer (VB) in 1996 and promoted to Past Provincial 1st Constable. He was granted Grand Rank in 2009 as Past Great Standard Bearer (B).
Perfected into the St Crispin Rose Croix Chapter No. 642 in 1986, he became the Sovereign in 1996 and was a member of the 31°.
He was Senior Group Officer for Northampton from 2004 to 2017 and will have been the first Freemason many current brethren met on their masonic journey.
There will be many in the Province who will remember with great fondness his encouragement and wise advice as an important part of their advancement in masonic knowledge. His leadership and service have left an enduring legacy that will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Born in Northampton, he worked as an Electrical Engineer for forty years in the electricity distribution industry and played for Northampton Casuals Rugby Club. He was married to Sylvia, with whom he had two sons, and a number of grandchildren.
Details of the funeral are as follows:
The funeral is on Thursday 5th June at 2.15pm at Counties Crematorium, Towcester Rd, Milton Malsor, Northampton NN4 9RN and afterwards at St Crispin’s Club, Berrywood Road, Duston, Northampton NN5 4XD.
The family have requested no flowers but donations would be welcomed and will be split equally between three causes:- Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, Benham Ward at Northampton General Hospital and the Eleanor Cross Lodge Relief Chest with the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
Donations can be made via the funeral directors Hollowells
1 Online using their Donations Form - see link https://hollowells.co.uk/funeral-donations/
2 there will be a collection box and Gift Aid forms at the funeral
3 Cheques or Postal Orders can be mailed to Hollowells, 148 Beech Avenue, Abington, Northampton NN3 2JN
REQUIESCAT IN PACE