Lori Eaton joins in footsteps of husband as Elks Exalted Ruler

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 4/4/17

By PETE FONTAINE The Tri-City Elks added a new chapter to their illustrious history Sunday, March 19. At a standing room only event, which featured high-ranking Elks officers and dignitaries from all over Rhode Island as well as Southeastern

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Lori Eaton joins in footsteps of husband as Elks Exalted Ruler

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The Tri-City Elks added a new chapter to their illustrious history Sunday, March 19.

At a standing room only event, which featured high-ranking Elks officers and dignitaries from all over Rhode Island as well as Southeastern Massachusetts, Lori Beaudry Eaton was installed the Exalted Ruler of Lodge 14.

While three other women – Helen Defosse, Patricia Chamberlain and Donna Warner – have held the distinction of wearing the prestigious jewel of the office – Eaton falls into a new and rare category in Warwick.

She and her husband Mark Eaton are the first husband and wife to hold the esteemed position of Exalted Ruler. Lori Eaton succeeds David Knight as Lodge 14’s top-ranking Elk.

Perhaps Leo Blanchette, a Warwick resident who is the Special Deputy for the State of Rhode Island Elks, said it best in his keynote address that featured some laughter-filled jokes as well as a serious tone noting the couple’s combined accomplishments during the past four years.

“I used to drive by this place on the way to work,” Blanchette began, “always wondering when they’d put the for sale sign up on the building. However, Mark and Lori are two major reasons why Lodge 14 has gone from an outhouse to a penthouse, and the turnout here today is a tribute to what they’ve done for this now thriving lodge.”

Mark Eaton, for example, served two terms as Exalted Ruler and has done everything from spearhead ongoing renovations both inside and outside Lodge 14 that has become so popular during his tenure it’s sometime difficult to get a date for a wedding, anniversary or even a birthday party.

As Blanchette further pointed out, “Almost every inch in this place has something new or renovated; this lodge now prides itself in the four cardinal virtues of Elkdom, which are Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members, to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship.”

Moreover, Mark Eaton has been the driving force behind turning the 365 Outing, a summer event that’s held at Warwick’s Masonic Youth Center, that last August provided fun, food and gifts for nearly 1,500 special needs people.

Now, he’s the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler who showed his love in two forms – the first being not needing prompt cards or even notes to perform the official swearing in of his wife to the position he held two years ago and presenting her with a special Exalted Ruler’s jewel.

“There was certainly a lot of pomp and circumstance here today,” offered Ron Nunes, who owns and operates Nunes Construction and is a noted chef who, along with his wonderful wife Lori and men like Mike Morin, prepared and served the post-installation dinner. “But you had to be impressed with what Mark did; he memorized every word, and that’s a show of love for Lori.”

Lori Eaton, meanwhile, has enjoyed as many successes as her husband since joining the Tri-City Lodge 14 in 2009. She has served as Community Chairman, Youth Activities Chairman, tiler and treasurer and has been the recipient of such distinguished awards as Elk of the Month numerous times, Outstanding Elk and Officer of the Year.

In 2015 she received the prestigious Presidential Award and has also been the recipient of the distinguished Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

“There’s nothing Lori has done for this lodge,” Nunes offered. “She and Mark love and live this lodge. That’s obvious of the people who are here today.”

After thanking the past and present Grand Lodge dignitaries, state officers, Tri-City officers and members – as well as her family – Lori Eaton said, her voice cracking somewhat with emotion, “It is an honor for me to become Exalted Ruler of the Tri City Elks. I would like to thank District Deputy Mark Eaton and his suite of officers for this beautiful ceremony.”

She then paused, before adding, “It is very humbling to have this much support from all of you. I thank you for having the confidence in me to guide our lodge this year. I will do all I can to keep Tri-City moving forward.”

A total of 15 people were installed as Lodge 14’s 2017 officers. They are Robert Hartington, Esteemed Leading Knight; Deborah, Mangina, Esteemed Leading Knight; Kristine St. Pierre, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; William Hall, Secretary; Marianne Beirne, Treasurer and David Knight, Esquire. Also, Deborah Guertin, Chaplain; Debra Petisce, Inner Guard; Dick Warner, Tiler; Donna Warner, Nicholas Rossi, Ann Licciardi, John Collins and Mark Easton, Trustees. 

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