Bro. John Henry Horobin PPGStdB
Born 12/06/1928 Died 3/10/2013
John passed away somewhat unexpectedly on 3rd October 2013 after a brief illness. He had been a member of Caledonia Lodge No. 68 since it´s early days and was the Lodge´s second Initiate. He went on to become the Lodge Treasurer, an office he held for a staggering 12 years. During that time he helped ensure the financial wellbeing of the Lodge and actively encouraged the buying of shares in Sociedad Compás and the giving of donations to charity; however he was not one for spending Lodge funds frivolously and he kept a tight rein on any other spending!
If anyone was proud to be a Mason it was John and he became a member of a number of Orders as well as a Founder member of Dama de Elche Lodge No 163. John was honoured to be invited to join the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, again as a Founder Member and he played an active role in that Lodge whilst his health allowed him.
With his wife Gwen, who sadly passed away before him, John was a strong supporter of all Lodge and social activities. The two of them could always be relied upon to support any function and John was notorious for always being a winner in any raffle that was held. There was no real secret to this “lucky” streak; it was just that he bought more tickets than anyone else! Always generous, John as often as not provided a prize or two for most events, so he more than deserved whatever he won. An ornate chair, bearing his initials, stands in the Temple and will provide a lasting memorial to John and his generosity.
Besides masonry, John had a second passion and that was bowling. He was a member of several clubs and successfully trained to be a referee. It was a brave player who disputed any of John´s decisions, much like a brave Mason who dared asked for Lodge funds. One of his greatest bowling achievements was being a member of a team that won the Spanish Championships, not a claim that many are able to make and all of his friends were thrilled that his hard work and dedication had paid off for him.
Whatever activity John decided to pursue, he threw his whole heart into it and Masonry and Bowls on the Costa Blanca will be all the poorer without him. John leaves behind his daughter Diane, his sisters and their families in the UK and his many friends here in Spain.