- Quebec Pythians say farewell to one
of our greatest...
- by John Derrick,
PGC
- Grand Secretary
It is with great sorrow that the Pythian Domain of
Quebec announce the untimely death of Sir Saul Derrick.
Brother Saul was truly one of the great Pythians.
He was a valued member of our Order for over 50 years, rising from
the ranks to earn many Pythians honours.
In 1948, after being discharged from the Canadian
Air Force during Word War II, he was introduced to the Pythian Order
ad joined Syracuse Lodge Number 9. In 1952 he served as Chancellor
Commander of the lodge. After his term he wanted to do more for his
Lodge, his Community, his faith.
Grand Lodge recognized his leadership potential
and invited him to run for a Grand Lodge executive position. He
served all Grand Lodge Executive positions and in 1978 he was elected
Grand Chancellor.
Never slowing down his involvement in the Order,
he was elected to represent the Domain of Quebec at the 64th
Convention of the Supreme Lodge held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in
1988. PSR Saul was active and made many life long friends at
Supreme Lodge. Past Supreme Chancellor, the late Sir Joseph Kramer,
in a speech thanked SR Saul Derrick and the members of the Convention
Committee "for their self-sacrificing and untiring efforts they
provided for carrying on the sessions of the Supreme Lodge." As a
matter of interest and for the record, this was only the third time
in Pythian history that a Supreme Convention was held in Canada. He
all look forward to the day when the fourth Supreme Convention will
be held on our beloved Canada.
As recent as a few years ago, Brother Saul would
not think of missing a lodge meeting or function, a lodge sponsored
concert, or a lodge charity event.
Through his efforts, thousands of dollars are
raised and donated to his favourite charity, the Knights of Pythias
Annual Appeal. This event raises money to stay in the Montreal,
Quebec and Jewish community. They raise money for the Montreal
Hospitals, the Research into Children's Diseases, the Mira Foundation
for seeing eye dogs, and so many, many more worthy charities. His
face would always light up to see the end results of his hard
work.
The highlight of his achievement was when the
Order bestowed on him the highest title a Pythian can earn, the
Knight of the Golden Spur. Sir Saul wore his spur with great pride
on his jacket's lapel; when ever visiting the many charitable events
that he so strongly believed in. he was the first of many great
Pythians in Quebec to wear the golden spur. Other winners of the
golden spur are exemplary Pythians, learning their lesson from Sir
Saul.
Brother Saul is survived by his dedicated wife and
best friend for 56 years Brenda, and their sons, Sandor, John and
Michael. Just recently, he had the pleasure of seeing John being
honoured with the rank of Past Grand Chancellor, for serving the
Order as the Grand Secretary for the Domain of Quebec. Donations in
the loving members of the late Sir Saul Derrick may be made to the
Pythian Appeal, and sent to P.O. Box 427, Cote St-Luc Quebec, H4V
2Z1. Please mark on the back of your contribution in memory of a
great Pythian, Saul Derrick.
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