Adam J. Novak

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Adam J. Novak, it summarized in every way who he was. He was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him.

Adam was born on May 4, 1937 at home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Adam and Eva Novak. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Adam was always aware of how others around him felt and this quality served him well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Adam was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Adam was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where he could concentrate, Adam also had the ability to relate well with his family and friends. Adam was raised with two siblings. He had two younger sisters, Joann and Maryann. Adam was constantly involved in activities with his family. Adam and his siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Adam enjoyed learning. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Adam was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. He often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Adam was painstaking and accurate in his efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful trade school career. Adam enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

Most folks would say that Adam was shy until they got to know him. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a solid, good friend. Adam was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Adam best trusted those people that he truly knew. He was concerned about how those around him felt, and he always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. He could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that he made, Adam kept. Later in life, he became friends with Herbie, otherwise known as Bloopie.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Adam. On August 30, 1958 Adam married Elizabeth Ann Sikora at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was totally committed to Elizabeth, AKA "Betty" and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Adam naturally sensed his spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Adam disliked conflict, he did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Adam was a good father to his children. He had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because he trusted emotions, Adam was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way he seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around him, always thinking before acting. In addition, Adam was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around him might be, he seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Adam was blessed with three children, his daughters, Diana, Linda, and Karen. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, John, Skylar, Luke, Nicholas, and Mathew.

If you gave Adam a deadline, he would meet it. At work, Adam was always on task. Without hesitation, Adam could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. His primary occupation was as an assembly worker. He was employed for Chrysler Corporation for twenty years. During that time, Adam excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. He was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Adam was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Adam had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. He was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Adam was a Marine veteran. He seemed to thrive on the routines offered up by the military. Being a literal thinker with a calm exterior helped him handle the rigors of the military. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Private First Class.

Adam liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Adam's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Adam preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on his hobbies. His favorite pursuit was stamp collecting. Adam was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying his hobbies all by himself and could often be found just reading about his favorite pastimes.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, his faith was important to Adam. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. He was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Adam had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that he was the trip planner. He would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included Walt Disney World, Clearwater, Florida, and Cruises.

Adam had a pet named Charlie who was his best friend for five years. Adam was as loyal to his pet as he was to him.

When Adam's retirement finally arrived in 1985, he was well prepared. He had taken the time to learn about his various options and chose his course wisely. His new life involved remaining close to home surrounded by family and friends. Even in retirement, Adam continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

Adam passed away on October 12, 2013 at William Beaumont Hospital, in Troy, Michigan. Adam fought a brave battle against diabetes and its effects. He is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughters, Diana, Linda, and Karen, and his five grandchildren, John, Skylar, Luke, Nicholas, and Mathew. Services were held at Resurrection Funeral Home. Adam was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Adam was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Adam was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. Adam Novak was very literal with his words. You always knew where you stood with Adam. He will be missed.