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Philalethes, Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt
Ontario Canada, M1S 2P6. Tel: 416-293-8071 Fax: 416-293-8634 or
nking@freemasonry.org or nking@onramp.ca




John Richard Nocas was made 
a Fellow of The Philalethes 
Society in 1983. He served the 
Society as its President From 
1986 to 1988. For years earlier he 
wrote extensively for The 
Philalethes and numerous other 
Masonic publications. He was 
interested in all facets of Freema-
sonry and received deserved 
honors in many of them. Among
them was the 33 of the Scottish
Rite, and Grand High Priest of 
the Grand Chapter of Royal 
Arch Masons in California in 1976.
John had been a writer all of his life. Yet 
it was at as a basketball player he met his 
life-long helpmate, Muriel, then a re-
porter for her school newspaper. That 
was in Boston, Massachusetts, 55 years 
ago. They moved to California where 
they were advised all writers should go. 
There they stayed and founded a book 
publishing company that specialized in 
providing current price lists for plum-
bers and contractors. For many years it 
was from these offices that Southern Cal-
ifornia Research Lodge mailed its 
voluminous informational bulletins 
throughout the world.
Muriel and John had three children: 
Louise, now a doctor; Andrew, now a 
lawyer; and Pamela, a teacher. They sur-
vive him and can take pride in the ac-
claim their husband and father has left 
them as a legacy.

The Masonic world became a 
stage where John and Murie] 
played leading roles for the bene-
fit of the Craft. From the day he 
became a Freemason until the 
day the Grim Reaper called him 
home, John' s life was dedicated to
Freemasonry. Although he had
served all the York Rite bodies as
a presiding officer, he continued
this service. He was the Master of
Culver City-Fohay Lodge No 
467 when he died. At his funeral
on February 13, 1992, at the Old
North Church, Forest Lawn Cemetery 
six Lodges, including his own, partici-
pated. An honor guard in full regalia
from the Commandery was present.
It is with sadness we must say goodby
to our good and faithful friend and
Brother. Yet we can recall with affection
the joy we had as we trod in his footstep 
for so many years.
Allen E. Roberts, FPS

