18th March 1925 - 15th May 2020
Jack sadly passed to the Grand Lodge above on 15th May, after a lengthy illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter Jackie, her husband Norman, grandchildren Rebecca and Victoria and great-grandchildren Mason, Jensen, Larna and Miller. His beloved wife Joyce died in 2004. He had been a Freemason for 55 years and was initiated into the Lodge of Felicity No. 6001 in 1965. He held many offices in the Lodge before becoming Worshipful Master, for the first time in 1976 and again in 2007. Jack distinguished himself at Provincial level, his first Provincial appointment was an acting office ProvAGDC, he was then promoted to PPGReg and eventually to PPJGW. He joined Terpsichore Lodge No. 7454, the renowned Dance Teachers Lodge in London, in 1970 and went through the Chair twice in this Lodge too and was promoted to Senior London Grand Rank. After succumbing to a lengthy illness resulting in him becoming wheelchair bound Jack resigned from Freemasonry, upon his retirement the Lodge made him an Honorary Member. Jack was born in Queensbury where he had lived most of his life, he met his future wife Joyce in 1943 at a dance, they became dance partners and married in 1950. Together they won the British Amateur Championship in 1955 and the British Professional Championship in 1960 and 1961. They acquired their own ballroom school in 1957 and over the years they trained more than 40 British champions, their formation team won the British Championship seven times. Jack and Joyce were team captains on TV’s “Come Dancing”, their team won 6 times and were runners-up 5 times during the 11-years of the shows run. He had been awarded the Carl Allen Award, the Oscars of Dance 4 times, and in 2015 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Classique de Dance, the main European dance organisation. He had been a Dance Judge for many years and had been Chairman of the Panel of Dance Judges. Jack achieved an HND in Engineering in 1950 and went on to Imperial College, London, where he received a First-Class BSc. Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He went on to work on the Canberra Jet project at English Electric before deciding on a change of career and worked as an Engineer for the West Riding County Council and eventually for Bradford City Council where he rose to Deputy Chief Engineer. He retired in 1980 to concentrate on dance full time. Jack will be deeply and sadly missed by his family and all his colleagues in the Craft, more particularly the younger members for whom he had a lot of time for.
11 Comments
Chris Binns
5/2/2021 01:26:40 pm
Please pass on my sympathies and condolences to Jack's family and also to the members of the Lodge of Felicity
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Will Arthur
5/2/2021 01:27:15 pm
Jack will be sorely missed both as a friend and a fellow mason, there will always be an empty space in the Lodge without Jack.
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Steve England
5/2/2021 01:27:39 pm
No words can express my thoughts of W. Bro Jack. A true gentleman and a very inspiring and supportive gentleman. I will miss his guidance and wisdom of Freemasonry. A gentleman remembered, never forgotten.
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Colin Symes
5/2/2021 01:28:05 pm
A true gentleman and mason who will be sorely missed. I will always remember His warmth and friendship when I first visited the Lodge
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Derek Radcliffe
5/2/2021 01:28:28 pm
W.Bro Jack was a wonderful person who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was always ready to support and guide the brethren of the Lodge of Felicity whenever they needed it. It has been such an honour and a privilege to have known him and many fond memories will stay with me. God bless you Jack.
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Jonathan Rutter
5/2/2021 01:29:10 pm
W.Bro Briggs will be sorely missed. He always had time for anyone and everyone, a true gentleman. If you ever want to understand what being a Freemason is all about, look up the name: Jack Briggs.
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Daniel Ibbotson
5/2/2021 01:29:36 pm
You always had a level head and a kind word for everybody. A true Freemason, who will be sadly missed by all who met him.
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Richard Malt
5/2/2021 01:30:07 pm
Jack always had a kind word for everyone. I didn't know him for long, however the impression he made on me will last through my Masonic career.
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Jack Watson
5/2/2021 01:30:39 pm
The above comments cover the contribution made to Freemasonry in general and the Lodge of Felicity in particular; a true gentleman and it was a privilege to have known him and he will be sadly missed.
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Socrates Pantelides
5/2/2021 01:31:12 pm
Jack, you made a positive mark on all the lives and paths you crossed and I am glad that I was able to be a small part of that. The socialising at the Festive Balls and Masonic functions, listening to your stories of old and the guidance and support you gave me when I began and throughout my masonic career, I'm truly grateful for. You knew you could count on Andrew and me to keep you warm at Temple Lodge! ;-)
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Paul Shippey
5/2/2021 01:31:42 pm
Jack was an inspiration and a true role model to everyone wno met him. He was a true gentleman and a very dedicated Freemason. He led the lodge and was always a support to junior brethren and past masters alike. He will be greatly missed by the many people he knew in Freemasonry and the dancing world. I am priviledge to have known Jack for so many years and have had his assistance and guidance throughout my Masonic career. God bless you Jack R.I.P..
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Malcolm WhiteleyThe Provincial Grand Secretary Archives
May 2021
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