A Tribute to Ozzie Grimstad

    I first met Ozzie Grimstad back in the late 1970's, when he retired from United Parcel Service and came to live in Leisureville, He had a lifelong friend Joe Marino who, was also a Freemason. The two of them brought their wives to Boynton Beach from Long Island, to enjoy the warm weather and live out their final years. Ozzie was a big man who stood about 6 feet 4 inches tall. He had a large, black moustache, brown eyes, black hair that he combed straight back, and a deep throaty voice that boomed across the Lodge room when he spoke. Of Norwegian descent, he had served in the transportation corps of the army during WWII. After military service, he started his employment with UPS and worked his way into Management. Ozzie was very capable, and a good organizer. When he first came to Lodge, he and Joe sat in the northwest corner of the Lodge room and quietly watched the workings of the rituals. Robert Mandell was Worshipful Master in 1977, and I was his Senior Deacon. I got to know Ozzie as he came and stood beside me to cast his ballots on incoming petitions. In mid-1979, when it came apparent I was to become Worshipful Master, I went to Ozzie's home and planned out my year with him and several other members. Together, we organized a General Services Committee designed to handle all of the organizational problems of the Lodge. the Committee had several components, from Calling Committees, to Monthly Barbecue Committee, to Maintenance Committees. Each man in the Lodge knew his job before the year began, and kept it throughout the year. The GSC was highly successful, and the Lodge grew in membership, harmony and service. I once asked Ozzie to serve in the chairs when it appeared the position of Junior Deacon might become vacant. He refused. He said he was too old to work through the line. My year ended and another Worshipful Master succeeded me. 1980 became 1985, then more. Boynton Beach exploded with growth, turning from a small agricultural town to a modern suburb. The Lodge changed too. The men with whom I served, began to pass and other Masons took their places. Ozzie became more involved in the workings of Leisureville Square Club. As a moneymaker for the club, he organized cruises through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Alaska. In 1982 he served as President. He was active in the Shrine, singing with "The Chanters". Then, in the late "80's" and "90's", after Joe Marino, his wife Nettie, and Ozzie's beloved wife Jean, had passed away, Ozzie's health began to fail. He turned his attention to leaving a legacy to the Lodge. Before he died, Ozzie made provisions to donate $ 300,000 for acquisition of land and construction of a new, one story Lodge building. He never lived to see that construction begin, but his love for the craft will nurture the Lodge in the years to come. You see, before he died, Ozzie put money into Trust as a Perpetual Member of the Lodge. That Trust Fund Generates interest equivalent to yearly dues, which will continue every year in perpetuity. Ozzie loved Freemasonary, and he continues to be a contributing member of our Lodge.

Richard E. Philpott, P.M.