Phillip Morton

Grand Master

Brother Philip W. (Phil) Morton was born January 5, 1943 in Rye, New Hampshire, the son of William B. and Yvette L. Morton.

Brother Phil graduated from Rye grade school in 1957 and from Portsmouth Sr. High School in 1961 where he ran the half-mile on the varsity track team. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Mazama, AE9 and the USS Tohee, AGS8 attaining the rate of Quartermaster 2nd class. He returned to Rye after receiving an honorable discharge from the US Navy in 1965 and enrolled as a freshman at New Hampshire College, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

While in college, Brother Phil met Marie E. Kennedy from Winchester, New Hampshire.  They were married in July 1967 and have been blessed with two sons, Michael J. of Milton, Vermont and Todd P. of Woburn, Massachusetts.

Upon completing College, he and Marie moved to Vermont where he joined IBM in Essex Jct., Vermont. He held several financial and management positions retiring in 1999 after 30 years of service as a Senior Financial Pricing Team Leader. 

Brother Phil is a member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington. He served his church on the Diaconate Committee and as a Church Deacon. Currently he holds the office of parliamentarian.

Brother Phil has been active in his community serving as Milton Town Auditor. He was active in Milton School District affairs, serving on the Superintendent Search committee twice and as a member of the Milton Booster Club serving as Treasurer and President. Brother Phil was active in the Boy Scouts of America in Milton. He served as a Webelos Leader for Pack 31 and as a council member of Troop 1 in Milton. He also coached and umpired Little League Baseball for many years and served as League President. His love for baseball started with his first game at Fenway Park in 1966. He has been an avid follower of the Red Sox ever since.

He has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Lung Association of Vermont and as a Trustee of the Order of the Eastern Star Home Board Benevolent Fund. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for The National Masonic Foundation for Children.

Brother Morton’s Masonic career began in August 1978 when he was raised as a Master Mason in McDonough (now Mt Mansfield Lodge) Lodge # 26 in Jericho, VT. Brother Phil has served his original lodge as Master three times and as lodge Treasurer. Shortly after being raised a Master Mason, he joined Seneca Lodge # 40 in Milton as a dual member. In the fall of 1978 he joined the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Burlington. In August 2010, he was nominated to receive his 33 degree to be presented in August, 2011in Chicago, Illinois.

Brother Phil joined Chittenden Chapter # 59, Order of the Eastern Star in 1984 with his wife Marie and served in several offices including Worthy Patron. He Served as Grand Marshal, District Deputy Grand Patron and was appointed Grand Sentinel by Brother John F. “Skip” Fellows in 1999. Brother Phil served as Worthy Grand Patron in 2000 – 2001 with Worthy Grand Matron Susan L. Collins. In 1998, he took a dual membership with Mary C. Burdick Chapter # 6 in Jericho and has served this chapter in several offices including Worthy Patron.

He is also a member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Council of Royal and Select Masons and the Commandery of Knights Templar, York Rite of Burlington. He is also a Noble of Cairo Shriners, past presiding officer of the District 5 Past Masters Association, a member of Edward J. Wildblood, Vermont Lodge of Research and a member of the National Sojourners and the John Stark Camp of Heroes of ’76, where he served as Commander in 2010 - 2011. He is one of the first members of the Champlain # 115 of the Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill. In March 2011 Brother Phil received the Legion of Honor from the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.

In June 2003, Brother Bruce E. Pomeroy, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Vermont, appointed Brother Phil Grand Lecturer. He served as Grand Lecturer, Grand Jr. Warden, Grand Sr. Warden, and Deputy Grand Master serving for two one-year terms in each office.

Brother Phil enjoys his family’s summer home on Woods Pond in Bridgton, ME. He has a strong love for outdoor activities, cross country skiing, upland bird and deer hunting as well as bass fishing. In his spare time he enjoys restoring, reloading and shooting antique firearms. He would be the first to tell you that his German Short Hair Pointer, Moses, rules the roost and is most critical in Brother Phil’s inability to hit a bird.

 

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