HARRY HEWBANK

For this edition we would like to feature Harry Hewbank. Harry became a Mason October 9, 1961. He is a member of Springfield Lodge #259 and Malahide Lodge #140. Harry is also a member of the Valley of London Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection, London Sovereign Chapter Rose Croiz, and Moore Consistory.

On June 2, 1973, he became a Shriner at the Mocha Ceremonial hosted by the Strathcona Shrine Club in Strathroy, Ontario. He became actively involved in Shrine work serving on the Director Staff from 1974 to 1977. He was Tillsonburg Shrine Club President in 1986 and rode with the Tillsonburg Outriders (Mini Bikes). In 1996, he was Charter President of the Aylmer Shrine Club. He served as Director of the Hi-Ro Shrine Club of St. Thomas. He is a member of the Hillbilly Clan #59. He has been the Mocha Love Bugs President from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, he is serving as Mocha Temple Membership Chairman. Talk about doing your part. This man is amazing!

His father-in-law, Noble Don Shackleton got him interested in the Love Bugs and Harry started as an occasional driver for parades in 1994 and now he leads the parade in his 1968 Red Volkswagen convertible. In Harry's case, it was probably a wise choice to switch from two wheels to the safer four wheels for parades. As you get older, you don't heal as quickly.

Harry and his wife, Ruth, of 41 years, have two daughters, Karyn and Nancy, and one son, Noble Tim Hewbank. They also have three grandsons, Justin, Jaryd and Sammy. Ruth attends most Shrine functions and parades. She does her best to keep Harry on the right path, which often proves to be quite a chore. I think she deserves some sort of medal for her efforts. The Hewbanks have operated Hewbank's Painting and Decorating Contractors for many years and their business has been a fixture in the Aylmer community for a very long time.

Harry started parading when he joined the Director's Staff in 1974. He pushed the Maple Leafs which spelled out MOCHA, down the street at ceremonials, upgraded then to Mini Bikes and now to the Love Bugs. He has been parading for 31 years.
His most memorable experiences as a Shriner were attending Imperial Council Sessions in Cleveland Ohio, Toronto Ontario, and Orlando Florida. Every parade has given him great memories. He reminds us that we are doing this for the kids as well as enjoying the fellowship and fun we experience as Shriners.

As President of the Mocha Love Bugs, he wants to thanks all members of the unit for their support in making the Love Bugs a success with the sales of Christmas cakes, puddings, and Bar-B.Q. sauce, our Bingos which will be coming back soon and the parades all over the area. He especially wants to thank his mechanics, father-in-law Noble Don Shackleton and nephew Noble Mark Walker for keeping the little Red Bug roadworthy for parades.

Harry wants to remind everyone to talk to your Masonic Brother about becoming a Shriner and joining the Greatest Philanthropy in the world - the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Next parade, look for Harry and say hello. He is the one with the infectious laugh and shirt tail out.

Thanks Harry. We all appreciate your efforts.

Featured in Mocha News: September 2004 Edition