When he was young, Worshipful Brother Gerald G. Pugh of Marietta, Ohio met a Brother named Earl Gifford. He was always impressed with Brother Gifford for his compassion for, and devotion to, the Ohio Masonic Home Board as one of its Trustees; and so the stage was set for him to ultimately become the newest Trustee of the Ohio Masonic Home Board.
Brother Pugh has spent 36 years in the transportation industry transitioning from a truck driver (3 million, yes, that’s right, million, safe driving miles) to management, and today is responsible for all the planning of freight. Throughout his life he has gained the reputation for asking questions and presenting different perspectives to stimulate thought, which makes him an excellent example of a Trustee of the Ohio Masonic Home Board. When asked about his time with the board and the staff of the Ohio Masonic Home he said, “I’m very impressed with the dedication of the board members and the staff. I always knew they cared, but you really don’t know that until you sit in a meeting and hear them. These men live the mission every day. It was so uplifting for me. These guys get it.”
In talking about the Home, Gerald expressed how wonderful it is that we’re adding time to the life of aging Masons through advancements in technology, such as remote monitoring. He is interested in seeing the Home continue to pursue these technological advancements to aid older Masons in aging respectfully. Regarding the new CEO he had to say, “We are blessed to have somebody with the skill and fire of Scott Buchanan. I think that God places people in the exact right place and time that we need them.”
In his private life, Brother Pugh is blessed to have his high school sweetheart of 33 years, Cheryl, as his wife, “We met in a tomato field, picking tomatoes!” Together they have raised a son, Cody who is employed with the Department of Defense and has given them two granddaughters Hailey and Allison, and a daughter, Lindsey, who is employed by the US Treasury Department. Gerald and Cheryl enjoy gardening and have bluebird boxes all over their property for their favorite bird.
Brother Pugh was raised to Master Mason in 1999, and was recently elected to receive his 33° in Rochester this coming August 2017 from the Valley of Cambridge. He is a Knight York Grand Cross of Honor and Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio.
