The Brother who called his boss the wrong name for five years and owns a piece of football history
Meet Rich Brown, a self-described curious soul from the Maiden City with a sense of humour sharp enough to defuse any tense situation. From sitting next to Alex Higgins at his first football match to owning the actual jersey Stephen Gerrard lifted in Istanbul, Rich has collected experiences and stories that would fill a book. A man who meditates (or so he claims—really, he’s watching YouTube in the bath), dreams of space travel, and found Freemasonry through an unusual interest in goats, Rich embodies the kind of character that makes Lodge 281 such a vibrant community. His journey from double glazing manufacturer to devoted family man and Mason is one filled with laughter, learning, and the occasional case of mistaken identity.
How would you describe yourself?
“A very self-motivated and curious person who finds joy in learning new things and experiences. I have a great sense of humour and can find the humour in most subjects.”
Where do you hail from?
“The Maiden City, Northern Ireland, born and bred.”
What’s your happiest childhood memory?
“My first ever football match. It was Northern Ireland vs England at Windsor Park in 1980. It was 1 each, and we sat next to Alex Higgins.”
What was your first job?
“Double glazing manufacturer.”
Favourite book?
“The Drum Beat of Jimmy Sands.”
Favourite film and television show?
“Jason and the Argonauts for film. TV show is Man Down with Greg Davies.”
How do you like to relax?
He laughs, “To make me look good I will say meditating, but in reality it’s lying in a bath watching YouTube.”
Favourite meal?
“Love a good curry.”
Who would you most like to meet, dead or alive?
“Sir Chris Hoy or Sir Kenny Dalglish.”
What makes you happy?
“I love going to events, like concerts, football matches or stand-up comedian shows. But again, to make me sound mysterious and learned, I would say reading and meditation.”
What makes you angry?
“Any form of self-entitlement. Get off your backside and create your own life.”
What human quality do you most admire?
“Self-motivated people.”
What’s been your most embarrassing moment?
Rich grins at this one. “I spent 5 years calling my boss Ben, only finding out on my last day his name was Ken. He took great pleasure in telling me. Why no one else did, I will never know.”
What human quality do you least admire?
“Laziness.”
What’s been the high point of your life to date?
“Finding a woman who would marry me. I genuinely didn’t think anyone would be that lacking in self-respect,” he says with characteristic self-deprecating humour.
What’s your most treasured possession?
“I own the actual jersey Stephen Gerrard lifted the Champions League in 2005 in Istanbul.”
If you won the lottery, what would you do?
“I want to travel into space.”
What made you want to be a Freemason?
“Terry told me about goats and I like goats.”
When did you start your Masonic journey?
“2022, I think.”
What’s been the most memorable part of being a Freemason so far?
“Being Santa at the kids’ parties.” 
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since joining?
“There are still people who are out there that want to live by a code of decency and friendship.”
If you could be granted one wish in life, what would you ask for?
“To be able to read people’s minds.”
How would you like to be remembered?
“I have always prized my sense of humour and would love to be remembered for having a great one. You know, someone who could always make people laugh or kill tense moments with humour.”
If you could write your own epitaph, what would it be?
“He lived by the premise of ‘No point being a coward, if you don’t act like one’.”
As our conversation winds down, Rich checks the time, there’s probably a YouTube video waiting in a bath somewhere, or perhaps he’s off to another event. Here’s a man who found his way to Freemasonry through curiosity (and an alleged interest in goats), discovered a community of decent people living by a code of friendship, and brings laughter wherever he goes. Whether he’s wearing a Santa suit for the children’s parties or sharing stories about the five-year Ben/Ken debacle, Rich Brown reminds us that life is better when you can find the humour in it—and even better when you share that laughter with brothers who appreciate it.
From the Maiden City to the Lodge room, from double glazing to dreams of space travel, Rich’s journey is uniquely his own. And if you ever need someone to defuse a tense moment or make you laugh until your sides hurt, you know exactly which brother to call.
