John W. Carrington Sr.

John W. Carrington, Sr., was born Nov. 24, 1933 in Washington, Arkansas.  John was the oldest of nine children born to the late Charlie “Red” and Ola Carrington.  The Carrington family later moved from Washington to Little Rock, Arkansas.   At an early age, John accepted Christ and was baptized at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church.  John attended the elementary schools in Little Rock and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1951.

After graduation from high school, John entered the US Navy and served four years during the Korean War.  After being discharged from the US Navy, John moved to Boston, MA and began an illustrious 39 year career at Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge where he held increasingly responsible positions including Director of Human Resources for worldwide manufacturing.  He retired as Director of Minority Business Development in 1995.  While working his way up the career ladder at Polaroid, John attended Wentworth Institute, Boston University and Harvard Business School where he earned many certificates in corporate management.

John married the late Frances Sims and to this union three children were born, John Willis, Jr. Elane Marie and LaJace Paul.

John was very active in the Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge AF&AM, Inc. Jurisdiction of Massachusetts where he served as Worshipful Grand Master.  He served in many positions in each of the following local houses:  Demetrius Lodge No. 18, Past Master, A.G. Miller Lodge of Perfection, Mt. Moriah Royal Arch, Ballenger Commandery No.1, Alhambra Temple No.1, Laconia Consistory No.1. He also served several years as Grand Patron of Bay State Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Inc.

John proudly speared-headed the male and female drill teams to number one positions several times as the Drill Master of the “Goofers” male team and sponsored the “Gooferettes” female team.

He also held positions in the national organization: First Vice President of the Supreme Council of Grand Lodges, Inc., Assistant East Coast Assembly Deputy of the Imperial Grand Council, Ancient Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrines of North and South America, Inc.

John W. Carrington Sr. was one of the originators of the Concerned Black Masons of Massachusetts.     As a great visionary Hon. John W. Carrington has served on many committees and advised the financial activities of many of the various organizations locally and nationally.  Under his leadership the jurisdiction of Massachusetts successfully secured a building for the Grand Lodge, the Grand Chapter and the Gladiators, forming the Hiram Grand Lodge Youth Development Center in Dorchester.

Upon his retirement as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge, the Boston City Council in a meeting assembled, congratulated the Honorable John W. Carrington, 33rd on his retirement and he was honored with a resolution presented by City Councilor Charles C. Yancey.

John was a lover of sports and coached one of the first women’s softball teams in Roxbury, the “Dodgerettes”.  He was also an avid fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics.

In 1993, John married Leslie (Fischer) Carrington.  John and Leslie spent many lovely years together working and traveling both nationally and internationally.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie “Red” and Ola Carrington, daughter Elane, and siblings, Charlie Jr. (Bill), Christine, Emmanuel and Ola Louise.

John departed this life after a short illness on June 25, 2017.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Leslie, two sons, John, Jr., (Anne), LaJace (Jennifer), sisters Charlene, Lenora (Bernard), brothers, Leon (Ruth) and R C (Shirley), seven granddaughters, Helena, Amber, Cierra , Alana, Taylor, Evelyn and Lillian, goddaughters Johnetta Downes, Arniece Callender and Erika Botts, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visiting hours at Morning Star Baptist Church, 1257 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, Wednesday July 5 10AM – 12 PM followed by a Funeral Service at 12 Noon. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Thursday at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.