Hi Grandpa,
I’m just thinking  about you at work. I remember you being so supportive of me going to nursing school and I want you to know I try to take care of my patients how I would want you to be cared for, with kindness and dignity. Thank you for being such a great man in my life and such a wonderful grandma. I miss you so much and think about you often. Ian and I got engaged and we are looking for our first house when we aren’t planning the wedding. I got a dog too. You’d love her if you were here. Her name is Fiona. I can’t wait to see you again someday. I love you and miss you. Cami 

Thinking of you on your birthday, Pa. You’re the best!   Love, Lisa

Lisa, I wasn't aware that your Dad's birthday was March 13, but he was on my mind the last week. It feels good to know the wonderful relationship you had with him.  Please drop a line to my email   spokorny@tampabay.rr.com   
I would l would love to hear from you.

Happy Birthday Dad!  Miss you and luv u lots !!
Lisa

Happy Fathers Day grandpa! I love and miss you so much! I'm so blessed to of had such amazing memories with you and to of had you in my life. You're so special to me and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Love you always - Lexi

Thanks Sharyn and Ed.  That means a lot.:)

What a beautiful tribute, Lisa. Thank you for sharing. Love to your entire family.

We serve an awesome God. About 9 months ago, I had a little vision in my head of my dad sitting in his kitchen wearing a white robe. I said to myself, "What is he waiting for and why is he wearing a white robe?" As I said it,I got the meaning. God, who knows my heart and knows that I was dreading the loss of my father since as far back as I can remember was, I believe, telling me, "Not quite yet, but your dad is coming home soon", allowing me to ease in to the idea. While I am grateful to have had my dad all these years, I will miss him beyond words.  Still, I am at peace because as my bother , Terry said, "He's in the Lord's arms forever."  

If you attended my dad's funeral, you would have learned that he was a reader in church.  If you lived at out house you would know that my dad was a lot more than that.  In fact, my dad was the most honorable man I've ever known.  Growing up in North Riverside in the 60s and 70s, a time and place chocked full of great dads, my friends and I were truly blessed. I would like to share some facts, observations and memories about my dad because he was a special person and deserves to be recognized and remembered for the special person he was.

My dad started out as an unwanted pregnancy who survived my grandmother's home remedy to keep things status quo since they were already having a very tough time making it with the 4 children they already had. However misguided her actions were, when I think of my grandmother, I think about the bible story about the poor woman who gave away her last penny. My dad told me that when hobos would come off the train looking for a handout, my grandmother would tell them to sit down on a crate in the yard and  she would give them a plate of food, even though she had so many to feed herself. Her sister, my Great Aunt Kate, who was a spinster offered to adopt my dad and name him Arthur. My grandmother did not want her child named Arthur so on the unlucky number 13th day of March in 1929, the year of the great stock market crash, Charles Novak was born in to the Joseph and Caroline Novak family and everybody called him Carl. Even though the Novaks had some tough times, including losing their home through eminent domain, my dad always spoke lovingly of his family and gave the impression he really enjoyed his youth. He married the girl next door, my mother, and remained so for 63 years.  He started working for Sears after high school and retired as a Senior Parts Buyer 40 years later.        

Since I was number 3 after Linda and Terry, I don't know my dad as the chiseled figure who played soccer for Sparta Chicago.  I knew him as the dad who took time to kiss me good bye every morning even though his commute started before the birds woke up and when he came home at night, smoked and watched Perry Mason and the Blackhawks. Every once in a while though, he would break his evening routine and would come down the driveway in the car where I would likely be standing grubby and sweaty from playing Kick The Can and I'd ask, "Hey, where are you going?"  He'd say, "Crazy, want to come along?" This only meant one thing - We were going to Kiddie Land!  He was also an easy touch for Barone's Pizza or Kerry's Custard.

He liked to get up before the birds on the weekends, too...and sing very robustly while shaving, "WHEN THE RED,RED,ROBIN COMES A BOB,BOB,BOBBON ALONG, ALONG..." while the rest of us would cover our ears and beg, "PLEASE STOP SINGING!" Other memories of my dad include going fishing with him to a quarry when I was a small kid.  We only caught bullheads but it was still fun. Playing Gin Rummy in the evenings with my parents was commonplace but beating him certainly wasn't. If you beat him, you must have had your thinking cap screwed on nice and tight that day. Although, for his own amusement, I'm sure, he would break my concentration by purposely discarding his cards sloppily because I had the habit of continually straightening them.  I remember going shopping for school shoes with him once and selecting some ridiculously high clomper-bompers.  He asked me," Are you sure those are the right ones for school?" After my quick affirmation, he let it slide with a simple, "Well, ok then." Another time, after an unsuccessful cartwheel landing in our living room which resulted in my foot crashing through my mom's glass cabinet on a day we were having company, my dad came to the rescue by getting the glass repaired before my mom got home from her hair appointment. 

While I have sweet recollections of my dad, a friend of my brother, Tim, and mine donned my dad with the nickname Carl RAW.  As most people who knew him were aware, my dad could be very direct. As a kid, it could be embarrassing but as an adult I had nothing but sheer appreciation for this unusual detail in my dad's make-up.  He never had to stew that he should have said this or done that.  He just said or did it.  Once on a tour bus in Mexico, tourists were asked to switch seats at regular intervals in order to allow everyone the best viewing.  The people with the best seats continually ignored the guide's requests. At a stop, dad helped them comply by moving their things in to the aisle and sitting in their seats. Other tourists were patting him on the back and buying him drinks because he did what they were too polite to do.  This courtesy defect came in handy when he would visit and my kids had, shall we say, challenging friends over.  I would just sit back and smile while Carl RAW resolved any ugliness.  

While he was direct with people who deserved it, he was actually very humble and generous. He worked for everything he had in life but never kept anything for himself.  It went to the family or to his favorite charities such as, Boys Town and Misericordia. He was very knowledgeable but never made others feel dull.  I noticed that when he played Trivial Pursuit with the family; he would always let his teammates answer first and would only offer the correct answer as a suggestion after they had a chance. Classy.  

My dad was good at many things like Math, English, Geography,(Our main source for homework help before Google) dancing with my mom, gardening, soccer, recommending good books and old movies, negotiating, cards and crosswords, caring for animals and more but he was best at being my dad.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Love,

Lisa

Aunt Virg, 
I am sorry to hear of Uncle Carl's passing. Our hearts go out to you at this time,and in the days ahead.
It is unfortunate that we loss touch though the years.
Tom & Joan Novak

Aunt Virg, it was so good to speak with you about Uncle Carl.  I truly regret not making that phone call to 'catch up' on the Novak family history with him. I always looked forward to that great family picture, but I'm sure he will be lining everyone up from above.
Sharyn Novak Pokorny

virginia, sorry to hear of carls passing.he and his family were a positive influance on my early years and he was thought of often thru out my life. god bless you and comfort you on your loss. oscar lyko class of 45 cicero school

I will miss my favorite cousin.  All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.      Love, Jim and  Sonja

Dear Virgie, Linda, Lisa, Tim, and Terry:

We will miss Carl and always remember his wonderful sense of humor, his kindness, and his wisdom.  He was a very caring person loyal to family and friends.  In youth, an outstanding athlete and after many years of accomplished successful service at Sears he enjoyed a very happy retirement.  Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.

Austin and Harriet Boe

OBITUARY

Carl E. Novak

March 13, 1929 – May 12, 2013

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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