Nick Novak Jr.

Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | October 21, 2016

Nick Novak Jr., 83 and 5 1/2, of Duquesne, died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at home. He was born April 19, 1928, in Duquesne, son of the late Nicholas and Anna (Magdic) Novak. He was a retired schoolteacher from the Duquesne School District, and was the boys and girls junior high basketball coach. He was a member of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in McKeesport. He proudly served his country in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was a Golden Gloves boxer while in the service, and later boxed professionally under the name of Eddie Polo. He later boxed in Madison Square Garden and the University of Miami, from which he graduated. He belonged to the SNF Lodge No. 76 in Duquesne. He enjoyed going to his summer home in Ligonier, and traveling to Florida. He was one of the winningest coaches in the Heritage Serbian Basketball Tournament. He was the beloved husband of 57 years to the late Lorraine M. (Campbell) Novak. He was the father of Sandra Wickerham, West Middlesex, Nick E. (Lori) Novak, Murrysville, and Elizabeth "Beth" (Stephen) Kracinovsky, of Duquesne. He was the loving grandfather of Howard "Buddy" Wickerham, Kriss (Jason) Wickerham-Rusiewicz, Chase Wickerham, Nicholas (fiancee Brianne) Novak, Alex Novak, Ian Kracinovsky, and Colin (fiancee Tessa Marie) Kracinovsky; great-grandfather of Kenzie Rusiewicz. Brother of the late Steven J. (surviving spouse Susie Dixon Novak), the late Jane (late John) Plake, and the late George Novak; Brother-in-law of Shirley (Chuck) Heasley, of North Huntingdon, and also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation is from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at  MALOY-SCHLEIFER FUNERAL HOME INC., 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, 412-466-3300, William B. Schleifer, supervisor, William Brian Schleifer, Funeral Director. A Pomen service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, with the Very Rev. Stevo Rocknage officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Jefferson Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Sava Scholarship Fund.

Originally published October 21, 2016.

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