TOM PRENTICE

For this issue, we would like to feature a well known Mocha Shriner who is relatively new to the Love Bugs. Tom Prentice may be short in stature but remains large in the eyes of his many friends and acquaintances in Mocha and other jurisdictions. At parades and meetings, someone is always asking where "big" Tom is. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with his ready smile and humour.

Tom became a Mason on April 28, 1992 in St. Mark's Lodge #94. He is also a life member of Centennial Lodge #684. In October of 1993, he became a 32 degree Mason in the Scottish Rite. You can always see Tom at reunions as part of the wardrobe committee or taking part in four degrees. In November of that same year, he became a Shriner at the Ceremonial held in Tillsonburg. As you can see, Tom finishes things very quickly. I think his wife told me that too.

Upon entering the Shrine, Tom became very active, parading with the Mocha Trumpet Band. He also belongs to the London Shrine Club, Hi-Ro Shrine Club and Aylmer Shrine Club.

Tom has some health problems which prevented him from marching anymore, so he decided that to continue to parade, he would join the Love Bugs. Why walk when you can ride? He rode with Doug Walker for 2 parades and the decision was finalized. Don Shackleton located a bug in St. Marys and Mark Walker, our club mechanic, went to check it out before Tom purchased it. Soon, Tom was the proud owner of a white VW convertible with license TINY BUG and has been driving since 2001. His mascot is Tweety Bird and rides with Tom at all parades. Don't get the two confused. Tweety is the bigger one and Tom doesn't have the yellow face.

Tom waited for the right woman to marry and although he married later than most, he managed to snag a super Lady, Ruth. After 22 years of marriage, he is the stepfather of two boys and one girl. Also, with time, he is now the proud grandfather of 8. Ruth is a member of the Daughters of the Nile and is an accomplished belly dancer. Tom wanted his own special table dancer, I guess. Ruth attends all parades and ceremonials with Tom. They both really enjoy the people they meet and the good fellowship they have with their Units, as well as other Units from all over Canada and the United States.

Tom was self-employed for 35 years. It has something to do with cleaning or taking people to the cleaners. I'm not quite sure. In his retirement, he has plenty of time to enjoy the best of Shrinedom. When asked what he liked most about the Love Bugs, he reported that the smiles on the children's faces when they see his stuffed animal during parades, as well as the good friend he has made since becoming a member of the Love Bugs Unit, top the list.

Tom is a valuable asset to the Unit and we hope he will be able to continue for many more years. Thanks, Tom.

Featured in Mocha News: May 2005 Edition