NORWAY – They were born in the same living room and were delivered by the same doctor.

That was when Route 26 was made of concrete and bread was 12 cents a loaf.

The Gouin brothers, Arthur and Donald, have done a lot of things together in life.

On Monday Art received his 50-year pin from the Masons. Donald got his 50-year pin in May.

They were both delivered by Dr. Delbert Stewart in the front room of the Kelly house on Whitman Street.

“The closest hospital was in Lewiston,” Donald said. “And that was an all-day trip back then.”

The two Norway natives went to the same schools from elementary through college and joined the same fraternity – Phi Mu Delta.

Even though Art, 75, is two years older than Donald, they received bachelor’s degrees in 1953 from the University of Maine at Orono.

Both have master’s degrees; Donald in physical education in 1967 and Art in educational administration in 1962.

“I would have graduated in 1952, but I had spinal surgery in May,” Donald said. “From the alumni association I get two of everything, for the class of ’52 and ’53 – especially requests for donations.”

Encouraged by friends, Donald became a Mason in May 1953. Six months later, Art joined.

The brothers said they joined because they believed in the same moral principals espoused by the organization – brotherly love, relief and truth.

Donald said he values the friendships he has made while a Mason. He has met people he would have never known.

“I like it that you have every order of man, from the working man on up, all meet under the same roof on the same level,” Art said. “It’s the character of the man that counts.”

Art said Masons lead by example and that a lot of the charitable acts occurring in the community are by Masons. They don’t seek or get much publicity.

“Charity is something you are supposed to do,” Art said. “People need help and that is the main event – get them the help.”

“Masons, through Masonry, value being a gentleman, doing it right, morally,” Donald added. “By in large, Masons live by the lessons that they have learned. If they don’t, another Mason might remind them that they have some obligations.”

M.W. Charles E. Ridlon, grandmaster, presented the medal to Art. He said there are very few brothers in the 192 statewide lodges and 25,000 members that have 50-year pins.

Donald retired in 1986 as assistant principal at the then Oxford Hills High School and then was elected to the school board.

“My wife used to tell me, ‘You’re putting in more hours now than when you were getting paid,'” Donald said.

Art still works.

“I’m on my fourth career,” Art said. “I taught and was principal in Mechanic Falls; was the original director for Community Concepts Inc.; was an agent in community development for the UMaine Extension service and bought L.F. Pike & Son in 1980.”

“You retired too early,” he told Donald.

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