In memory of Brother Leonard Isaac Levenson, 32º, we are keeping this page up for a while. Brother Levenson passed away on March 12, 2023, just prior to his 107th birthday.
Brother Leonard Isaac Levenson, 32º
Newport News Scottish Rite Oldest Living Member
106 Years Young!
Brother Leonard Isaac Levenson was born March 16, 1916, in the County of Lee, South Carolina. He was a member of Bishopville Lodge, No. 104, Bishopville, South Carolina. He petitioned Newport News Scottish Rite for the Scottish Rite Degrees on March 25, 1959. He received the Fourth Degree thru the Thirty-Second Degree at the Spring Reunion 1959.
His Scottish Rite petition said that he was an Appraiser of Jewelry and he is of the Jewish Faith. He worked for Siegal’s Loan Office.
One of the interesting things about Brother Leonard’s Petition was, “The petition be signed by two Masons of the Rite or W.M. and Secretary of Blue Lodge under seal”.
Brother Levenson was in the Marine Corps during World War II and served in the Pacific and fought against the Japanese. He sent the Newport News Scottish Rite a copy of his “Solomon Islands Masonic Club” card. On the card was his name and rank – Sargent Leonard Levenson and the card was dated 9-30- 1944. Brother Levenson was a member of the “Greatest Generation”. Shown is a copy of his membership card from Solomon Islands Masonic Club, Allied Armed Forces dated September 30, 1944.
One day I received a note from Brother Levenson, with a donation to the NNSR Building Fund and in the note, he said that he was 102 years old and wanted to donate to the Building Fund as long as he was able. He also stated that he was a Marine in World War II. I wrote him a thank you note for the donation and asked him, if he would send us a picture, so I could share it with the members of the NN Scottish Rite. Several weeks later, I received what I asked for, a picture of Brother Leonard. He sent me two pictures of himself, one he had on a Marine Corps cap and the other he had a Shrine Cap. I decided to get a Scottish Rite Cap and send it to him. He sent a note thanking the members of the NN Scottish Rite for the cap. He has a great sense of humor and he always sends a joke or witty remark, with his notes.
When I looked at Brother Leonard’s petition, and realized that he would be 103 years old this year, we passed a birthday card around the members at our March meeting. Brother Leonard sent several pictures of him receiving a “Special Apron” from members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, on his 103rd Birthday. He also was wearing the Scottish Rite cap.
If you would like to send Brother Leonard a note of congratulations, please call the Newport News Scottish Rite office and I will give you his address.
God Bless you, Brother Leonard. Newport News Scottish Rite thanks you for your service to our country and your love of Masonry.
“Pete” Eure, 33º IGH, Secretary
Newport News Scottish Rite
Here is the picture of Brother Levenson receiving a special Masonic Apron from Members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia
