Turlock police and fire personnel were on hand late Sunday night to salute the remains of a Coast Guard serviceman from Denair who was killed in a solo motorcycle collision March 27 in Honolulu.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Xaverius Noz, 28, died from injuries he sustained when his motorcycle struck steel cables on a runaway truck ramp on the Likelike Highway, as reported by the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

Noz’s first assignment was on the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, an Icebreaker ship that was stationed in Washington and made regular trips to the North Pole and Antarctica. Most recently he served aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Ahi, stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. A service was held for Noz aboard the ship before his remains were flown back to California and ushered into Turlock with a procession from the Patriot Riders Guard and emergency personnel.

“Battalion Chief Gary Carlson and Sgt. Russell Holeman were the ones who coordinated the effort,” said Turlock Police Chief Robert Jackson. “They were able to put together a very respectable reception for the family and the fallen serviceman.  The fire department was actually able to get a few of their honor guard members outfitted and in uniform to present their highest level of respect for the young man.  I was very proud of the response from both the police department and fire personnel that wanted to be involved.  All of our staff put their non-emergency duties on hold to help honor this young man.  It was also great to see our Mayor attend. The effort made both myself and Chief Robert Talloni very proud.  

“Most importantly though, we want the family to know that we offer our deepest condolences and our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Jackson said. 

“The City of Turlock and the Turlock Fire Department are committed to our veterans,” said Turlock Fire Chief Robert Talloni.  “We realize their dedication and sacrifice to our beloved country. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of the contingent of Mayor Gary Soiseth, area veterans, fire and police personnel, and the Turlock Fire Department Honor Guard.  We wanted to do right for this young man, because it is the right thing to do.  Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Noz was raised and educated in Denair. He attended Modesto Junior College and enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2011 and served as a machinery technician.

Noz is survived by his wife Kayli Noz, also of Denair; their 3-year-old son Eli; parents Diane and Casper Noz; Stephanie De Muro and Andrea Waugaman; niece Emma Huber; and nephews Logan Huber and Casper De Muro.

Noz’s sister De Muro recalled her brother “loved being outdoors, shooting, scuba diving, spending time with family and friends and playing the occasional practical joke on his family and fellow ship mates.”

Services will be held at Our Lady of Assumption in Turlock on Thursday.  The Rosary will start at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m. Military burial at Lakewood Cemetery, with reception at the Denair Community Center to follow.   

The family asks that in lieu of flowers to please donate to Eli Noz’s college fund at gofundme.com/9cx58xh4.