W.Bro John Soggee PPJD, PP Std Br
1950 – 2021
W Bro John Michael Soggee was born on 13 March 1950 in Bangalore, India, to parents Ronald and Norah Soggee with an elder sister Pat.
John had a very happy childhood and at the age of 16, he was introduced to a young girl, Lorraine, who would later become the only love of his life and his beloved wife, Arlene. From that moment on, he followed her everywhere and they eventually married in 1970 and celebrated 50 years of marriage in November 2020.
It was after this that John decided to start a new life in England, arriving with only £3 in his pocket. He was welcomed in the UK by the White family, who treated him as one of their own.
John started his working career on the trains (something he continued to be passionate about) and moved on to serve with the 10th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, something he was rightly extremely proud of. However, his heart and life’s ambition had always been with the Police and he joined the Metropolitan Police serving his time and retired in 2008. After retiring from the Police, John’s final job was as an environmental officer for the Local Council.
John was always an extremely hard working, conscientious and dedicated man with a wonderful sense of humour.
He was by no means an orthodox person, often outspoken in nature. However, what shone through was his honesty and integrity which endeared him to many, particularly whilst working in the police.
John had a wonderfully straight moral compass and pure ethical code for life, which inspired many and now lives on his children to his grandchildren.
W. Bro enjoyed nothing more than family gatherings and loved having his family around him (and his cats). He was rightly to be so proud of them, and would unashamedly let everyone know.
John was not a man of many hobbies, although had thousands of model airplanes he made at home, however, he found great pleasure and enjoyment with the Freemasons and laterally, with his beloved Porchway Lodge.
John was initiated into Freemasonry in to Ravensbrook Lodge 8936 (Province of Kent) on 8th April 2000 was passed on 2nd January 2002 and raised the sublime degree on the 15th February 2003. John worked his way up through most of the offices in Ravensbrook Lodge and in 2009, become its Worshipful Master. A notable successful whilst in the Chair was the wonderful and deeply memorable Ladies Weekend he ran at Sandbanks in Bournemouth.
W.Bro John continued to show his colours and metal with Freemasonry being honoured with Provincial rank initially as Past Provincial Grand Deacon and then promoted to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer, something his family are all immensely proud of, especially his son, who is also a Past Master of Lodge.
It is not until we write W. Bro John’s life’s accomplishments down do we in Lodge fully realise what a very special man he was and how he was loved by so many, colleagues, friends and Masons alike. It has given his family great comfort to hear stories of their Dad and the high esteem he was held in.
It is befitting that this beautiful and deeply emotional poem read out by his family at his funeral should be repeated here to celebrate the life of such a wonderful person and truly inspiring Freemason:
God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be
So He put his arms around you
And whispered, ‘Come to Me’
With tearful eyes we watched you
And saw you pass away
And although we love you dearly
We could not make you stay
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best
W.Bro John has laid down his mortal working tools for the last time and has ascended Jocobs’ ladder to join the Great Architect in the Grand Lodge above. He is now at eternal rest in the company of his brothers past.
Whilst he his sadly missed, he is not forgotten. We hope through our website, his memory and masonic legacy will live on in our hearts and our deeds.
