Edward Samuel Bela Johnson 1930-2014
St Cecilia Chapter
Ed was born in Budapest, Hungary. His father was English and his mother Hungarian. I believe his father was a translator for the Hungarian Government. He had a sister, Grace who was also born in Budapest in 1937.
Ed became bi-lingual, although in his later life he claimed not to remember any Hungarian at all.
Whilst visiting relations in England in 1938, the family, realising the worsening situation with Germany, decided to stay here, leaving their home and possessions behind them. The family initially lived in Stafford, before moving to Herne Bay, Northolt and Maidenhead. Ed eventually settled in Wokingham, where he remained for the rest of his life.
On leaving school, Ed trained as an Apprentice Engineer and in later life worked for Bestobel Aviation as a Mechanical Test Engineer. During this period he was involved in testing metals for Concorde and other aircraft, a field in which he was considered to be an expert.
Whilst carrying out his National Service, he trained as a Pilot with the Royal Air Force.
He married in 1965 and became a proud father of Son, Jonathan in 1968 and Daughter, Elizabeth in 1970.
He returned to Hungary, by car, to visit relations, in 1969, when it was still part of the Communist Bloc and returned there again in 2006, following his divorce, but this time he took his Son with him.
Ed retired in 1995 and made one further visit to Hungary in 2009, following which his health began to deteriorate.
Ed was a very active Freemason. He was Initiated into the Edward & Alexandra Lodge, Watford in 1962 and in 2012 received the certificate commemorating his 50years of membership. He was a member of Hertfordshire Masters Lodge, Berkshire Masters Lodge, Erlegh Chapter and Valentia Mark Lodge.
He was Perfected into St.Cecilia Chapter Rose Croix in 1990 and appointed Outer Guard in 1995, Captain of the Guard in 1996, Herald in 1997 and Assistant Recorder in 1998. During the period of 2004 to 2009 he again acted as Outer Guard.
Ed gave his services to Sindlesham Court over many years, not only looking after the various Lodges furniture, but acting as Tyler, Janitor and Outer Guard for a numerous amount of them. If you went to Sndlesham, you knew Ed would be there, particularly on Provincial Grand Lodge days, when he would supervise the car parking, always wearing his familiar blue baseball cap.
In 2009, Ed suffered a serious aneurism, which amongst other things left him partially deaf. Subsequently, he became a Resident in Lord Harris Court, from where he was still able to attend a few meetings, particularly those of this Chapter. In recognition of his services, St. Cecilia Chapter Rose Croix made him an Honorary Member in 2014.
Regrettably, his health deteriorated and he was subsequently admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital from where he passed to the Grand Chapter above on Friday 12th December 2014. His funeral service was held at Easthampstead Park Crematorium on Tuesday 30th December 2014.
May he now rest in Eternal Peace as a just reward for his diligent labours of life.
Eulogy given by V\Ill\Bro. Roy E. Stone 33°, Inspector General for the District of Berkshire.
16th February 2015l