Found this wonderful eulogy to W.Bro. Levine on the GLSA website, reprinted here in his memory.
W Bro Morris Levin was initiated as a member of Lodge de Goede Verwachting on 25 July 1949. He served as their Worshipful Master between 1956 and 1957, after which he was invited to join the Provincial Grand Lodge team. He was appointed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 1966, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 1968 and served as Provincial Grand Master between 1970 and 1974.
In 1974, Morris was promoted to Assistant Grand Master and served in this capacity until 1978. In 1978, he was awarded the Grand Lodge of South Africa’s highest award, the Order of Service to Masonry (OSM) and, in 1979, had the rank of Past Deputy Grand Master conferred on him.
Morris was the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch of South Africa (and was awarded the MSA) and was a 33rd Degree Mason of the Supreme Council for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for South Africa. Morris served on its Executive untill having to step down becuase of the age limit.
He served on the GLSA Management Committee for many years, still being a member at the time of his passing to the Eternal East.
Morris was also a highly skilled Masonic Jeweler and there can be few members of our local Lodges who do not wear jewels, cuff-links or similar items designed and created by Morris.
I have given you a summary of the basic facts about Morris’ Masonic career but, other than illustrating the high regard in which he was held and the considerable success that he enjoyed, they tell us little about the man and the Mason.
Above all, Morris was a man who loved Freemasonry and loved being a Freemason. He was committed and active and, even in his advanced years, enjoyed nothing more than being at Lodge with his Brethren. Morris was reliable and supportive, hated missing his Masonic meetings or Grand Lodge call-outs and contributed in what ever way he could. A simple example is found in the Spring Ball magazine. Morris’ company Goldcraft appeared in the 1st edition in 1981 and is the only advertiser to have been included in every single publication, spanning some 30 years.
Morris enjoyed interacting with Freemasons around the world and, even in his late 80s, was visiting Grand Lodges around Africa, earning their respect and admiration. In his earlier years he had played an active role with American and European Grand Lodges and, in recent times, has taken great pride in delivering the annual message of goodwill from our Sister Constitutions.
Having been so actively involved for over 60 years, Morris had many stories to tell – and he loved telling them. I recall sitting at a coffee-shop outside Durban, flying to meetings around the country or just being at Morris’ home and listening to him reminisce about how Perseverance, a Prince Hall Lodge, joined the GLSA in the Apartheid era, the appointment of sundry Grand Masters, the founding of the GLSA or other Masonic topics. Invariably they were special times for Morris had not just been around at the time, he had played a participative role and, as a result, his tales were invariably both well-informed and intriguing. One of the last links with the history of the GLSA is now broken.
Morris was also thoughtful and generous. I recall going to a wedding at the Cape Town synagogue, where Morris gave me the very smart yamacuh that I am wearing today. When I was appointed as Deputy Grand Master he immediately presented me with the relevant regalia items and, of course, he much enjoyed accommodating out of town Brethren at his Sea Point home.
Many of the Brethren, of course, have had similar experiences to mine, for it was Morris’ nature to try to please people – and he accomplished it well.
As far as our local Freemasonry is concerned, Morris was more than just a Brother, he was a legend amongst us – and, while we acknowledge that he has earned his “rest and reward” it will take some time for us to fully come to terms with his passing. Freemasonry exhorts its members to “live respected and die regretted”. Morris has fully achieved this and he will be sorely missed.
SMIB
Author: Rt Wor Bro G R Edwards