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About John Nocas 11

by Allen E. Roberts, FPS

Many years ago I met John Nocas
through correspondence. This early cor-
respondence led to an invitation to bring
the Virginia Craftsmen (a Masonic
Traveling Degree Team) to California in
1976. Consequently John and Muriel
met us as we departed the plane in Los
Angeles on October 29, 1976.
But this meeting almost didn't take
place. After accepting an invitation from
the Scottish Rite body that had invited
the Team, we found its "hospitality"
would be non-existent. I told John via
telephone there was no way I would rec-
ommend to our men and their ladies that
they spend over $1,000 each to perform
before a body that wouldn't spend
couple of dollars for a meal.
John, then Grand High Priest and a
staunch supporter of Southern California
Research Lodge, asked me to wait a
before declining. A couple of days later
he called to say we would be fed and that
we could raise some money to help with
the expenses if I would conduct a leader-
ship seminar for SCRL. His patience
and understanding turned our Cal-
ifornia visitation into a rousing success.
We ended up exemplifying the Virginia
work in a Scottish Rite body and a
Lodge. And in San Francisco we Raised
a California Fellowcraft using the
Virginia ritual.
Our friendship grew. In 1978 I again
returned to Los Angeles and SCRL to
conduct another seminar. Dottie and I
stayed with Muriel and John. Then dis-
aster struck. I hemorrhaged seriously
and ended up in an intensive care unit.
John had to conduct the seminar using
my leadership films. Without the help
and constant care by Muriel and John,
Dottie and I would have been in even
deeper trouble.
John became a fellow of The
Philalethes Society in 1983, then ac-
cepted the office of Second Vice Presi-
dent. From 1986-88 he served as Presi-
dent of the Society with distinction. In
between he shared his wisdom and
thoughts with the Masonic world
through the written word.
All of us will remember John for differ-
ent reasons. He was a gentle man, and
one with firm convictions. He loved
Freemasonry and its many facets. He
worked for all of them. I'll remember
him for all of these.
But most of all I'll remember John for
continually practicing Brotherly Love,
Relief and his search for Truth. He will
remain my friend and my Brother.
