January 10, 2024

Companions,

It is my sad duty to announce the death of Most Excellent Companion Wayne C. Faupel, Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania. Wayne passed on the evening of Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

He had been in rapidly declining health over the past couple of years, and I spoke with him just before Christmas, when he uttered one of the most sagacious phrases I have heard. Before ending the call, I asked him if there was anything I, or Grand Chapter, could do to help him and Glenora. He replied, “You know, as masons, we’re taught to be comfortable with our own mortality and accept it as part of life. I’m OK. We don’t need anything.”

Wayne’s accomplishments are well known, and his contributions to Capitular Masonry will be long remembered. His term saw the first major revision to the Grand Chapter Constitution in many years, and his vision was the foundation of the ritualistic requirements and business planning process you have been experiencing during my term.

While a formal obituary is yet to be published, I have been informed that a Masonic Service will take place at 12:30 on Friday, January 12, 2024, at the Berkebile Funeral Home, 214 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522.

In addition to this service, I am directing all subordinate chapters and mark lodges in the state to drape their charter in black at their next stated meeting.

Regretfully,

Jason F. Craig, MEGHP