Robert E. Novak, Sr.

January 17, 2024

Robert E. Novak, Sr., a lifelong resident of Plains Township, passed away at his home Wednesday morning, January 17, 2024 at the age of 87 following a years-long, losing battle to dementia.

Born on February 6, 1936 in Plains, PA, he was the son of the late Walter J. and Mary (Zegarski) Novak.

Bob was a graduate of Plains Memorial High School, Class of 1954.

And while, towards the end, Robert was hard pressed to remember much, his family will remember him thus: He was the husband of Margaret Ann (Wassil) Novak, his high school sweetheart, to whom he was married for 66 years. She never got her driver’s license so, for as long as he had his, he drove her around to the numerous places he never visited for himself because he had so little interest, i.e. the mall, the casino. When he traveled outside the Wyoming Valley (which he did rarely) it was an event, i.e. his four years in the Air Force — stationed first at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York and, later, Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, the time he took his children to Gettysburg (“the vacation”), his trips up the Garden State Parkway to visit his aunts and uncles in New Jersey, or his one and only experience with business travel while under the employ of Hudson Building Supply (a trip that took him as far as the Pittsburgh Airport, where he was stranded for 48 hours before returning and vowing never to travel again— which he didn’t, ever). He had no need.

A faithful catholic, Bob was a member of St. Andre Bessette Parish, North Wilkes-Barre, until its closing and became a member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.  Father Joseph Verespy and Sister Anna were very kind and compassionate to Bob

Bob’s whole world was right here. Here was the house he built with his own two hands, his bountiful garden, a pristine yard, his glider, a table full of family on Sundays, his favorite car wash, fishing, deer season, the “girls” at Bakery Delight and the Price Chopper checkout (which he visited regularly until he couldn’t and whose smiles made his day).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph and Donald Novak, and his sister-in-law Elaine Corcoran.

Surviving are his children, who made his life: Linda Malta and her husband John of Mountaintop, and Robert Novak, Jr. and his wife, Linda (Hoffman) Novak, of Plains Township.

In addition to his children, he leaves behind his grandchildren, Jonelle and Matthew Kusminsky, Westborough, MA, Sara and Jason Austin, Easton, PA, Elizabeth and Gabe Barbosa, Orlando, FL, and Michael Novak, Plains; his great-grandchildren, Luna Kusminsky, Benjamin Austin, and Elle Austin;, brother-in-law Michael Wassil and his wife Hope, Lansdale, PA and a number of nieces and nephews — many of whom will miss his cooking at holidays and all of whom will miss his kind and simple presence in their lives.

Bob’s family would like to thank Allied Hospice, Theresa, Amanda, Joyce, and Jonathan for the wonderful care given to Bob during his final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial, followed with Military Honors accorded by the Plains American Legion, Post 558, will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18701.  Those attending the funeral mass, please go directly to church Monday morning.  Private interment will be held in Sacred Heart Slovak Cemetery, Dorchester Drive, Dallas.  There will be no calling hours.  Arrangements entrusted to the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA  18705.

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer´s Association: Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 2595 Interstate Dr. Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110, The Pro-Life Center, 201 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, or to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), by visiting www.chop.edu/giving.