Tribute to W. Bro. Albert Critchley P.Prov.G.S.W. ProvRAMGR
 
11th April 1939 – 30th August 2014
 
W.Bro. Albert Critchley was initiated into Craft Masonry in Grosvenor Lodge, No 4312 (Cheshire) in March 1969 and was Installed as Master of that Lodge in November 1977.
He was appointed in Provincial Grand Lodge in the Province of Cheshire to P.Pr.J.G.D. in 1994
He was exalted into Claughton Chapter, No 3915 (Birkenhead) and became First Principal in 1982. As a result of his support and efforts in that degree, he was promoted to P.Pr.G.S.N, in the Province of Cheshire not long after.
 
He was a Founder Member of Garston Lodge of Installed Master, No 9403, and was Worshipful Master of that prestigious Lodge in 1998.
 
Within the Mark Degree, which he was so very fond of; he was advanced into Coronation Mark, No 563 in October 1970 and was installed as Worshipful Master in February 1976. He was appointed P.Prov.G.M.O before being promoted to the glorious rank of Provincial Grand Senior Warden in 2003. This he always considered was the highlight of his Masonic career.
 
He was elevated into the Ancient and Honourable Degree of Royal Ark Mariners in St. George Lodge of RAM, No 553 on 11th January 1988 and was installed as Commander in 1997. He was appointed to the rank of Prov.RAMGR, in 2004.
 
Many Masons will recognise Albert as a Tyler, Janitor, Mark Tyler, Warder and many other offices associated with Masonry in general. He was probably one of the more recognisable Freemasons in the whole of the Liverpool, Garston and Prescot area where he took on the role of laying out the various Lodges rooms. He was always weighed down with keys to lockers and Lodge Rooms etc. but lack of a key did not stop Albert finding and “borrowing” any Lodge furniture not immediately available. It was however always returned with grateful thanks even though the lender might not be aware what they had supplied.
 
His other generous contribution, especially to the Mark Degree was his collection of used Regalia which he ensured was available to newly appointed or promoted brethren within Freemasonry, particularly the Mark and RAM Degrees. Regalia  could be obtained from Albert by making a suitable donation to the Charities and it was Albert’s pleasure to present charity donations to the appointed Charity Representatives annually but without any fuss and bother and he did not look for recognition in this important field.
 
In his working life, Albert was a Master Ice Cream Producer, something which for many years was well known in Liverpool and its surrounding arrears. “Critchley’s Ice Cream”, which was a well established family business, was not only well liked by the public but earned Albert many prestigious awards for his ability having received many medals and certificates for this pleasurable commodity. He even became a Judge at many of the “Ice Cream Shows” and was something of a bit of an expert in his own right for this slightly unusual field of business in this country.
 
It was with pleasure that we saw his funeral on Thursday 5th September 2013 supported by more than 100 Freemasons and friends and it was particularly delightful to see R.W.Pr.G.M, Peter Connolly and his wife Lynn in attendance along with many other Mark and RAM Brethren. After the service and cremation at Springwood Crematorium many adjourned to Garston Masonic Hall to give their personal condolences to Joan and her family and partake of a delightful buffet which Albert had told his family was his wish when he had departed this mortal life.
 
He will be sadly missed by many and his family, especially his wife Joan, must be remembered for all the care they gave him over many years and in his final hours. His quality of life had become non-existent and we know he is in a far better place in the Grand Lodge above.
 

Compiled by W. Bro. D. A. Horrocks, P.G.Std.Br.