Our deepest sympathies to the families and friends  of Harold Grainger.  The greatest Association  Manager of Laurel Oaks Lane in Laurel MD.  He will be missed by many.   He was very helpful.   We wish him an eternal rest in Heaven  🙏 ➕ 🌹 
Guy A. and  Linda Saint-Julien
 
Thank you for everything  Harry.

Harold was, not only, a long time family friend, but he was, eventually, a fraternal brother.  I, always, looked forward to the annual visit that he, and several of the friends from the D.C. area, would make to Ohio.  Even though his passing saddens me, greatly, I rejoice in his reuniting with a host of his fraternal brothers and friends.  I can, almost, see him now, sitting down with a piece of  my moms’ homemade rhubarb pie.   Till we meet again, in the Celestial Lodge, rest in peace, my dear friend and brother.

We’re going to miss you so much uncle Harold and how you made us laugh. I remember when Melissa (great niece) was born in 1981 you were over visiting and as soon as the ward doors opened you were off like a rocket found mum and picked Melissa up before anyone else got a chance lol. At Karen’s (niece) wedding the photographer was taking ages and it was a windy cold day, you said to the photographer “hurry up, princess Di’s didn’t take this long”, also you put your big warm coat round me because I was freezing in a bridesmaid’s dress. Then there was the time you had come over and hired a car, they had tried to offer you a tiny car instead of the large one, “they tried to give me a bloody rollerskate” you told us making us all laugh. You ended up with the managers car, lol only you could do that. We love you lots and will always have you and our memories in our hearts. RIP, Francine, John, Courtney, Ish, Sherina and Tyler xxxxxx

Hope you are back with auntie Geraldine and Grandad (brother George) and the rest of the family up there. Love you always xxx

April 2004: Silver Springs
Ish and Courtney (great niece), Harold, Sherba Nelson ) Alan’s wife), Alan Grainger (Nephew).

I am so sorry to learn about the passing of our esteemed worthy and distinguished Brother. Harold Grainger. Indeed, we have lost a Mason with valor and one that has touched our lives in diverse ways with ritual, humor and relationship with all of us. On behalf of the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of Joppa Lodge # 35, we extend our condolences to his entire family, we pray that God will give them grace, comfort and strength during this time of grief. May his gentle and fine soul rest in perfect peace. 

Sincerely & Fraternally, 

Bro. Egerton M. Peters-John, SW

Harold was proud of his employment with the Washington Post Newspaper

Harold Grainger, an institution in local DC masonry and Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, passed away this morning. I met Harold about a decade ago when I was initiated into the Royal Arch. (In fact, I distinctly remember him performing the RA lecture flawlessly.) While most people knew him as an active mason, he was a bit of a legend in Washington Post circles where he worked for decades. He rose up the ranks to eventually become the head printer and served as chief steward (President) of the newspaper union. When we cleaned out his house to move him into Masonic home a couple years ago, he let me keep his ID card that he planned to toss.

Harold made sure the city’s paper of record came out each day. His work connected people to the greater world, national politics, and city culture. He provided an incredible service to the city and I will forever be grateful for the kindness and courtesies he extended to me in the lodge room.

Chis Ruli

Harold lived for his team, Manchester City.  He loved it so that his last request was that he be buried with his team jersey. I had to hunt it down and when I found it, I should have known, it had his name on the back.  God love him

The only way to describe how loved I and my daughters felt is to liken it to that of your parents; unconditionally.

The only way I can describe their affection for me & my girls is something akin to that of your parents.  We felt LOVED.

These thoughts are parts from a piece called Take Me as I Take You written by Wor Harold Grainger, King Solomon #31. To really embrace the true influence Harold had over all of us is to embrace his own philosophy of “Shake the hand of your Brother with pride. Be proud of your Lodge. Be proud of Freemasonry. Don't lose your grip, my brother…. you have earned the right…to take me as I take you.”
RWB Harold Grainger will be solely missed by this Jurisdiction and the brethren of Washington Daylight Lodge #14.
Plans for RWB Grainger celestial send off are still in making. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Alvin Pardo, WM , Washington Daylight Lodge #14

This brought forth Washington Daylight Lodge No. 14, F.A.A.M. a merger of strength both in members and most assuredly financially. None of this could have happened without Harold’s involvement and guidance. Eventually Harold became Secretary of Washington Daylight Lodge #14 for which he served for close to 20 years.
Harold received many awards and accommodations over his 65-year Masonic journey. He travelled the world in search of light as well as sharing the light which was Harold. To best illustrate this point, I would like to quote portions of a talk Harold penned while still part of King Solomon.
“Let’s, for a brief time, think about hands, their importance to man and especially to us as Masons. A man's hands are oftentimes an indication of the craft and skills of their owner. Long tapered fingers are usually found on an artist or a musician. Big expansive hands are found on a blacksmith, construction worker, or bricklayer. There are some who believe that the past, as well as your future, can be read in the delicate lines that traverse the palm of the hand. Inasmuch as your feet have just as many lines, if not more, I wonder if the lines on your feet reveal more than the lines in your palm …. just wondering. ……”
“Your hand can work for the good of the Craft when you take the time to call another Brother on the phone, or e-mail him. No matter if he is sick or well; or his need great or small, just reach out and touch his life. That touch is universal. Touch is the expression of love. After all, a vase of priceless beauty and value was once a lump of clay until molded by the touch of two hands. ….”
“We must be in awe of mankind’s accomplishments in space and technology. Human hands assembled the vast machines that we now occupy in space. So, "The strong grip of a Master Mason" can accomplish many things. ….”

My thoughts on the passing of RWB Harold Grainger . . .
Washington Daylight Lodge #14 today lost a most special Brother, Companion, and Friend. What I could possibly say here given all the announcements made of RWB Grainger’s passing to the Celestial Lodge is extremely difficult for me. The day I first meet him I didn’t know my Junior Deacon lines and he ran to my rescue. How to forget that day. That how BROTHER WAS. Always willing to help!!
RWB Harold Grainger was born in England, in Manchester, in October 1930 and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in September 1959. He was raised in a special lodge recognized as a “Daylight” lodge. It was certainly “special” because it was consecrated by the Grand Lodge to allow brethren to meet during the day light hours. It was also special because its membership were primarily printers and musicians, who fundamentally work at night when conventional lodges meet presenting a need to meet during the daytime hours. The stories Harold would tell about those unique pack of individuals. This Lodge was King Solomon Lodge No 31 and was possibly the only lodge in DC allowed to called a daylight lodge.
Harold did not quietly engage with Freemasonry. He quickly began his ascension through the chairs becoming King Solomon’s Worship Master in 1965. And unlike most brethren that become Worship Master and who adopt a “one and done” philosophy, Harold was Worship Master four more times. Interestingly, Harold used his position and gained experience to get involved with other lodges to help in their education and progress. And he did this not only in his own jurisdiction but also traveled to other Lodges in other jurisdictions to share his expertise and friendship.
Harold was an integral participant in the governance and running of King Solomon #31. The Lodge progressed very well until a change in times lead to a series of mergers with Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 39, Brightwood Lodge No. 43, and Washington Centennial Lodge No. 14

OBITUARY

Harold Grainger

October 8, 1930 – October 23, 2024

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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