On December 9th 2009, W.Bro. Ross Tuck was presented with a 50 yr Jewel recognizing his commiment and dedication to Masonry over the past 50 plus years from W.M. Willie Beifuss - Macnab # 169 and R.W.Bro. Douglas G.M. Lauder District Deputy Grand Master Niagara District B. Following the presentation W.Bro. Tuck shared the following with the brethren assembled.
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Rt. Worshipful Sir, Very Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Sirs and Brethren:

An author by the name of Robert Fulghum Wrote a book entitled “All I Really Need To Know I learned in Kindergarten”. In that book, Fulghum elaborated on a great many basic principles that should guide us all through our lives, ideas that we learned from those first days in school. Things like the following:

Share Everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone. Live a balanced life. Recognize that your pet goldfish or hamster or white mice will die someday and learn to REALIZE that and to ACCEPT that everything dies sooner or later. Make the best of your life while you are able by practicing these tenets.

These simple thoughts are the fundamentals upon which civilization rests. And it seems to me that Freemasonry and its teachings are a wonderful extension of these basis rules.

Brotherly love simply means recognizing that we are all on this planet together and must learn somehow to live as one in peace and harmony.

Relief is caring for those less fortunate, the poor, the disabled, the disenfranchised. It is simply CHARITY and we should all remember when we were first initiated into Masonry, “poor and penniless, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod” and give generously when it is in our power to do so.

Truth is the recognition of the grand purpose of the GAOTU, that while we are here and before “death the leveler of all human greatness reduces us all to the same level”, we must practice all the lessons we learned both in Kindergarten and Freemasonry. Our hamsters & white mice will die and so will we and all whom we love. Accept that fact and do the best you can while it is yet day, for the best and wisest know not how soon.

It has been my pleasure to have been a proud Freemason for half a century and I accept with humility and profound appreciation this wonderful recognition you have bestowed upon me.I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and may the GAOTU continue to prosper all our united endeavours. So mote it be!

Sincerely,

W.M. Ross Tuck
December 9, 2008