V.W. Bro Leslie Derek Nobes PGReg, PPSGW, PZ
5th March 1932 – 18th January 2016
Les died suddenly and unexpectedly in the early hours of Monday 18th of January 2016 after being admitted into Torrevieja hospital the previous day. He was a founder member of several Lodges including Caledonia Lodge No.68 and was instrumental in its formation. Les´s passing sadly marks the end of an era for the Lodge which has now lost all of its founder members.
Hailing from Portsmouth Les was a Mason of long standing in a Portsmouth Lodge. On moving to Spain, he missed the companionship of likeminded men and so was instrumental, along with others based in the Torrevieja area during the 1980s, in establishing the Masonic community that now thrives in the area. He, together with his wife Pat, who sadly passed away before him, helped to raise the funds needed to create a Lodge by holding garden parties at their home. As a couple, Les and Pat were also the instigators, along with Malcolm and Cynthia Lifton, of the Caledonia luncheon club, now known as The Thistle Club. Les remained on the committee of that club until a few years ago and was a staunch supporter of it. Sadly he didn´t make the January luncheon but he was there to celebrate at Christmas and join in with the carol singing.
Once Masonry grew in the Torrevieja area and the need for a Masonic building was identified, Les was a member of the far sighted group of masons that worked to buy and renovate Sociedad Compás. He was generous in his support of the project and maintained an interest in upkeep and running of the building, holding the office of President for many years until his untimely death.
Les was a very well respected man and Mason who possessed a considerable driving force. In his prime he was recognised for his skill at ritual and he went through many a Masonic chair in a great many of the Orders. Besides the Craft, where he was rewarded for his efforts both at Provincial and Grand Lodge level, Les attained very senior offices in Chapter and the Order of the Secret Monitor whilst also being a member of Mark, Ram, Allied, Scarlet Cord and Operatives to mention but a few.
One of his greatest pleasures was music. Les had a marvellous singing voice and in the early years many a Ladies Night was rescued by Les singing the Ladies Song. As with us all, his voice diminished as the years went by and it was a source of distress to him when his marvellous voice could no longer carry across the room without the aid of a microphone. With his passing our lives will be all the poorer and his dulcet tones and good humour will be greatly missed. Les leaves behind an elder sister and her husband, extended family members from Pat´s family and his many friends here in Spain.