Michael Savory came to Spain after retiring from a career as a commercial airline pilot. Michael had already been a Freemason in the UK and soon afterwards, became a Spanish Freemason under GLE. Along with several other like-minded Brethren, they decided to establish a Masonic presence in the southern Costa Blanca which at first met in local tavernas and restaurants until it was decided to look for a permanent ‘home’ in the Torrevieja area.
Michael was heavily involved in investigating the viability of acquiring a premise for such a purpose, and once a building was eventually found, and with insufficient funds to cover the initial costs, Michael placed his house as collateral against the mortgage needed to close the deal.
He, together with a number of other Brethren, over many months worked on digging out the area, taking down existing structures throughout the building ready for the construction of the Temple. This subsequently became Sociedad Compas, the Masonic Temple in Quesada. Although the original loan was paid back in good time, the collapse of the outside terrace required a further loan to be sought to not only repair the damage, but to vastly improve the temple building, ultimately producing a smaller, secondary temple known as the Heritage Temple. This loan was also subsequently repaid by the generosity of the Brethren, their Lodges, and their friends.
There is no doubt that without Mike’s forethought, fortitude, and the unwavering support of his wife, Jane, Brethren in the Torrevieja area would not enjoy the certainty of their Masonic future, free from the need to rely on a particular restaurant, hotel, or similar from which to conduct Masonic business, an uncertainty shared by a number of Brethren and their Lodges in the north of our Province at this time.
During his many years service to The Craft, Mike rose to Grand ADC where he was extremely active, attending all Grand and Provincial Assemblies and meetings. He was subsequently promoted to Past Grand Warden for his outstanding commitment and service over a great number of years. When called to the Grand Lodge above, he was just 1 month shy of 60 years in Freemasonry. Just a month earlier, the Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro Rodney Charles Bignall was very pleased to present his Long Service jewel at the December meeting of Old Tower Lodge. A Lodge that Mike literally helped to build, and where he was looked upon with the very greatest love and respect, by everyone who knew him.
For those of us that call Sociedad Compas ‘Home’, we are forever in his debt.
R.W.Bro. Michael David Savory PGADC, PGSW
29th February 1944 – 8th January 2025
May the Grand Architect of the Universe keep him, until we meet again.
