modernMason

Yes, I know that this is several months late, but I was wandering through pictures from this summer and thought that this would be amusing to post. So here it goes.

July 26th marks the birth of William J. Florence, one of the founders of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S or Shriners). He along with a Noble and Brother Walter Flemming started the Shrine right here in New York City, and in fact, they even started my Shrine, MECCA. We were the very first ever. How awesome is that? So in order to celebrate the live of Noble Florence, we decided that it would be proper to visit his grave in Greenwood cemetery in Brooklyn. Of course I was in attendance as was our Potentate Mike Quigley, Chief Rabban Sanford Gottisman and Noble James Reichman. We laid flowers on his grave, said a few words and took our picture at this great man’s resting place.

Mecca is the only Shrine that can use this symbol.

The man of the hour, Noble Brother William J Florence

From the left to right:

Me (Noble Isaac Moore), Potentate Mike Quigley, Chief Rabban Sanford Gottisman, Noble Jim Reichman

Florence’s real birth name was Conlin. Florence was a stage name. And actors are doing it until this day. However I have a feeling that at the time when Florence was at work, it really was frowned upon to be Irish.

If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend going to Greenwood cemetery. There are all kinds of great New Yorkers there, like Peter Cooper. Also a few notorious ones like Boss Tweed and Bill (Bill the Butcher) Poole. You may remember Bill The Butcher from GANGS OF NEW YORK.

Our man Peter Cooper. He was the founder of my Alma Matter Cooper Union and a great New Yorker. Me and a bunch of brothers go to McSorley’s Old Ale House every Tuesday for a few brews right where Peter Cooper used to have his lunch every day. In fact, after Abe Lincoln gave his RIGHT MAKES MIGHT speech, he went there with Cooper and had a meal.

Potentate Mike Quiggley. I love this guy.