R.W. Ralph I. Sewall, Past Deputy Grand Master, 1942-2025

R.W. Ralph Irving Sewall, Past Deputy Grand Master (1998), departed to the Celestial Lodge above on March 27, 2025. He was 82.

Ralph was born and raised in Needham, MA. He spent his career in the heavy equipment industry as a sales representative for Caterpillar, John Deere, and Case Equipment. He traveled extensively across the country and around the world. Through work and for pleasure, he visited every state in the United States. Ralph was a true gentleman and rarely seen without a smile. When asked how he was doing, the response was always, “Never better.”

Brother Sewall was raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason on June 1, 1964 in Norfolk Lodge, Needham. He served as Master in 1974. In 1991, M.W. Edgard W. Darling, Grand Master, appointed him District Deputy Grand Master of the Brighton 5th Masonic District. In 1994 he was commissioned a Grand Representative near the Gran Logia de York (Mexico) by Grand Master David Whitcomb Lovering. And in 1998, he would serve as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts – the second highest office in the jurisdiction – after being appointed by M.W. Arthur E. Johnson, Grand Master. For his service to the fraternity, that same year he received the Henry Price Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed in the jurisdiction. Following his term as Deputy Grand Master, he was elected to serve on the Grand Lodge Board of Directors for two consecutive terms between 1999 and 2004. Brother Sewall was also a member of The Masters Lodge, Needham (serving as Master in 2000), Marine Lodge, Falmouth, an honorary member of Fraternal Lodge, Centerville, and a Charter member of The Lodge of the Royal Secret, Boston.

An active member of several Masonic bodies, as a York Rite Mason he was Exalted in Mount Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, Needham (1966); Greeted in Boston Council Royal & Selected Master Masons (1974); and Knighted in Saint Bernard Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, Boston (1974). He joined the Valley of Boston, Scottish Rite, N.M.J. on April 1, 1966. Between 1994 and 1997, he served as Commander-in-Chief of Massachusetts Consistory. In 1996, he was conferred a Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Brother Sewall was also a member of Aleppo Shrine.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, Needham, on Thursday, April 10th from 4-7pm. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, , on Friday April 11th at 11AM. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s name may be made to one of the Scottish Rite Charities, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of your choice, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, MA 02420 or Community Health Center of Cape Cod, 107 Commercial Street, Mashpee, MA 02649.