The first time someone asked St Clair “Brinky” Tucker whether he wanted to join the Freemasons, he said no.

He did not really understand what they meant and he was busy.

“I was newly married and playing soccer and cricket,” he said. “I was on the police force. I said no because I did not want to be a plumber, carpenter or mason. That is how ignorant I was about the terminology.”

Later, his mother chewed him out, setting him straight about who the Freemasons were.

As it turned out, his father and grandfather had been members of the Hannibal Lodge in St George. He had no idea.

“She said if anyone ever asks again, say yes,” Mr Tucker remembered.

Two years later, someone did repeat the question. Mr Tucker took his mother’s advice, quickly expressing his interest.

“It was one of my former teachers,” Mr Tucker said. “He said, ‘OK, I am going to propose you and get your uncle to second you’.”

Again, because the Freemasons are quiet about what they do, Mr Tucker had no idea his uncle was even a Mason.

In 1970 he went to his first meeting of the Hannibal Lodge in St George, and 56 years later is still involved, having worked his way up the ranks to Provincial Grand Master, its highest order.

On March 17, he and several other Past Provincial Grand Masters from Irish lodges around the island will be honoured at a St Patrick’s Day Service and brunch at St Patrick’s Church in Smith’s.

Mr Tucker still remembers his first meeting at Hannibal Lodge on Old Maid’s Lane in St George.

“There were 40 or 50 people from all over the island, but many from St George,” he said. “My mother’s people were from St David’s so I saw some familiar faces.”

During that meeting in 1970, he witnessed the symbolic burning of the deeds.

“They had just finished paying off the building,” Mr Tucker said.

He described himself as “all ears” on that night.

“I was eager to learn more about it,” he said.

He was surprised by the number of men he knew who were in the lodge.

“I don’t know if you would say we are secretive, but there are certain things we learn and keep to ourselves,” he said.

He said the Freemasons do much in the community without seeking much fanfare.

“We feed the less fortunate people,” he said. “We might take them gifts at Christmas.”

They also try to help other Masons and their families.

“Some of our members have passed away and their wives have struggled a bit,” Mr Tucker said. “We make sure they are taken care of. We also try to guide young people in the right direction.”

The Freemasons follow several simple rules to keep harmony among the membership. For example, talking about politics or religion is forbidden.

“We don’t talk on these topics in the meeting, or afterward when we are enjoying libations together,” he said. “Even on the eve of an election we would not discuss these things. We also have politicians who are part of the lodge.”

There is also no smoking during meetings, and while they might enjoy a drink together afterwards, there is no getting drunk.

“As a matter of fact, if we find a brother has a drinking problem, we go to him, support him and direct him in the right way.”

Potential Freemasons go through a vetting process.

“We will ask around about them, and see what kind of relationship they have with their neighbours and community,”he said. “People with a criminal history cannot be inducted in.”

He felt that being a part of the Hannibal Lodge helped him to mature, mentally.

“I also travelled quite a bit as I travelled up through the ranks,” he said.

He has been to Ireland many times, and also to France, Italy, Canada and all around the Caribbean.

When he went to a meeting in Cuba, he was amazed that he could understand everything that was going on, even though he did not speak Spanish.

“It was exactly the same as at our meetings in Bermuda,” the 82-year-old said. “Meeting lodge members from around the world has always been a very positive experience for me.”

Over the course of 54 years with the lodge, he has compiled a four-page résumé with them. In 1993, he joined the Knights Templar of Sir George Somers. The next year, he was promoted to honorary past grand steward. In 2003 he was a founding member of Royal Arch Chapter 832.

“The Royal Arch Chapter is an order just higher than the Freemasons,” he explained. “There are different levels. The highest level you can obtain in Bermuda is the Provincial Grand Master, and I held that position for 12 years. In Ireland the Grand Master is in charge of Irish lodges all around the world. Years ago, I sat in his office and chatted with him.”

When you interrogate someone ruthlessly, it is often called “giving someone the third degree”. The phrase comes from a test Freemasons historically had to take to receive high ranking.

Mr Tucker has his 33rd degree, the highest order that an Irish Freemason can achieve.

“I am the only Bermudian to get that,” Mr Tucker said.

In 2016, he was also made Grand Inspector General by the United Supreme Counsel Ancient Scottish Rites in Washington DC.

“To receive this honour you have to be invited,” he said.

The St Patrick’s Day service in Smith’s will be at 11am on March 17, and the brunch at the Henry VIII Restaurant in Southampton at 1pm.

Other Past Provincial Grand Masters honoured will be the late Clarence James and Gerard Bean.

Proceeds go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Bermuda. All are welcome.

• For tickets and more information, call 703-9092