By Frank Andriulli III
Special to the Voice.
At its annual year end election, Annawon Lodge, #115 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of West Haven have elected Brother Steven R. Mullins, 43 to serve as Worshipful Master for the year 2018. He succeeds Worshipful Brother Frank Mangiero, who has served as Worshipful Master for the past two years. Mullins has been a member of Annawon Lodge since 1998.
“I am truly humbled and honored that the brethren of Annawon Lodge have put their trust and confidence in me to lead them in 2018.” Mullins said in an interview. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were freemasons.
Mullins is a longtime West Haven civil servant. He is currently the city’s longest serving Planning & Zoning Commissioner and has been elected either Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Commission since 2012. He has also served as West Haven Justice of the Peace since 1999. Until last week’s change of Mayoral administration, he served on the West Haven High School Building Committee, where he was Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee.
Mullins is a communicant of the former Christ Church, now Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in West Haven, where he served ten years as a vestryman, Junior and Senior Warden. He is President of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians. He is also a member of the Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association. For the last three years, Mullins has chaired the West Haven Black Heritage Celebration at West Haven City Hall.
Mullins will be installed in an elaborate and colorful ceremony, presided over by the Rev.and Bro. Bruce Bellmore, Right Worshipful Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of the State of Connecticut. The rites will include a farewell to Mangiero, honoring his tenure as Master. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Jan. 6 at noon at the West Haven Masonic Building, 263 Center St. Dinner and reception are immediately following.
In addition to Mullins, other officers being installed are Senior Warden Richard X. Biela, Junior Warden Kyle J. Podpolucha, Treasurer Gerald A. Calabritto, Secretary Frank J. Andriulli, III, Senior Deacon Michael J. Cotela, Jr., Junior Deacon Mark Homburg, Senior Stewart Anthony P. King, Marshall James V. Jennette, Tiler Jonathan Belmont, Historian William K. Barr, Chaplain Richard C Memmott, Jr., Trustee Frank Mangiero and Almoner Robert Gundersen..
The attire for the Installation Ceremony business casual and is open to the public.