…active A.F. & A.M.; 79
TEWKSBURY - Ronald K. Janes, age 79, a retired professional greens keeper, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 7, at Lowell General Hospital’s Saint’s Campus. He was the beloved husband of Carol A. (Dean) Janes, with whom he had celebrated a 20th wedding anniversary this past September 19.
He was born in Everett on September 30, 1933, son of the late Alfred and Mary (Shultz) Janes. As a child, he lived in many places as the son of a career Naval officer, and finally settled in Wakefield, MA, and graduated from Wakefield High School. He went on to attend Burdett College in Boston.
He served in the Army and was stationed at Elmendorf in Alaska during the Korean War.
He had an extensive Masonic history. He was an active member in the Mt. Hermon Lodge of Woburn. He was also a High Priest in the following chapters: Mt. Horeb of Lowell, Haverhill of Haverhill, Mt. Sinai of Lawrence, Ipswich-Ferson of Ipswich, and Houghton-Waldon of Concord. He served as an Illustrious Master in the following councils: Adoniram of Concord, Ahasures of Lowell, Haverhill Council of Haverhill, Medford Council of Woburn and Zebulon Council of Salem, MA. He was a Past Commander at Haverhill-Pilgrim Lodge of Lowell, a Grand Scribe of the Grand Chapter of Boston, a Grand Principal Conductor of the Work at the Grand Council of Boston, a member of the Chapter of Research and a member of the Scottish Rite of Lowell.
He was the former owner of the Age of Aquarium store in Pinehurst, and later worked as a Greens Keeper at Billerica Country Club, and most recently the Swanson Meadow Golf Course in Billerica.
Besides his wife, Carol, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Carl W. and Kimberly (Martinez) Rychwa of Dracut; two grandchildren, Kenzie May Rychwa of Fla, and Zoe J. Rychwa of Dracut.
He was also father of the late Beth Janes who died in 1990.
Visiting hours Saturday, May 11, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be offered at 7:00 p.m. in the Funeral home, followed by Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ronald K. Janes Memorial Fund, c/o Enterprise Bank, 223 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821, will be appreciated.