Tribute to Alan Bibby PGJD |
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1936-2013 |
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| John Alan Bibby was born on 27th October1936 in the village of Billinge near Wigan where he attended the local Primary School. He gained admission to Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School were he studied hard and obtained numerous “O” Levels. At school he taught himself to play the violin He was unable to read music so he had to play by ear. I would have loved to hear him play. | |
| Prior to commencement of “A” Level studies he obtained a position as an apprenticed draughtsman with the local Electricity Board in Leigh and continued his education by attending night school at Wigan and Leigh Mining College. | |
| Two years National Service followed in which time his ability as a Marksman came to the fore and as a result much of this time was spent in and at shooting competitions at places such as Risley. He would often comment how in those days, on his way to a competition, that he could walk freely around London with a rifle over his shoulder and several hundred rounds on ammunition in his pockets. How circumstances have changed. On his return to civilian life he worked in Bolton before obtaining a post as a Civil Engineer in Preston with Norweb and remained there until his retirement. |
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| He met and later married Judith on 25th.March 1965, he had thus been married for one week short of 48 years. Together they had a daughter Fiona and a son Andrew. They were the proud Grandparents of Emily and Luke. |
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| Alan had many hobbies including cycling ,at least in his youth, target shooting at which he was still very good, deer stalking, which must have been very hard, pheasant shooting ,which is relatively easy, caravanning which must have been very relaxing and Amateur Radio, he would talk to people the world over. He had a well equipped mini engineering workshop in his spacious garage, the family referred to this as his Wendy House. He spent many happy hours there making all types of small machined pieces. Perhaps his biggest hobby was Freemasonry. |
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| He was initiated into Leyland Lodge No.4249 on 25th April 1968 attaining the chair in 1982.He was subsequently promoted to P.Pr.J.G.W. in 1999 and appointed P.A.G.D.C. in 2005. He went on to join many other Orders including the Royal Arch, Mark, Royal Ark Mariners, O.S.M., Knights Templar, Red Cross of Constantine, Rose Croix, Allied, Royal and Select, Royal Order of Scotland etc. In the Mark Degree he was Advanced into New Temple Lodge on 18.04.91 becoming W.M. in 2004. He was appointed as a Provincial Grand Steward in 2002 and promoted to P.Prov.G.J.W. in 2008. In 2009 he was appointed as a Grand Steward and promoted to P.G.J.D. in 2012.He was a member of Adoniram Lodge No.552 and Grand Stewards Lodge. |
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| He was Elevated into Lawrence Royal Ark Mariner Lodge No.313 in 1997 and became Worshipful Commander in 2008. He held Grand Rank in many Orders and I think Provincial Rank in most others. It is thought that he subscribed to 28 units of Freemasonry. I am sure that his most satisfying membership was in the Order of the Secret Monitor, He joined Progress No.236 on 3rd.October 1973, later bring a Founder of St. David’s Conclave No 247, becoming S.R. in October 1977. | |
| He held several Provincial Offices before becoming Dep.Prov.G.S.R.in 1989 and P.G.S.R in 1995 until 2007.An Office he filled with great distinction and credit. He was a Founder of at least six Conclaves and a member of many more. He would visit Fiona, her husband and the grandchildren in the I.of M. at every opportunity, which allowed him to do much Masonic visiting whilst there. | |
| His funeral took place at a packed St. Mary’s Church, Eccleston on 27th March 2013, the service was conducted by a former Vicar of the Church, Rev.Andrew H. McMichael, now Vicar of Port Glasgow and who is Andrew’s Father in Law. | |
He is and will be sadly missed by those whose lives he touched. |
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| This eulogy is reproduced courtesy of Ian Taylor | |
