Name: Visitation for George D. Novak
Start: 2023-04-27T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-04-28T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Mariscotti Funeral Home, Inc.

George D. Novak, of California, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2023. George was born January 8, 1934, to Michael and Katherine Masayko Novak of West Brownsville.

He attended California Community High School, graduating at the age of 16. At the age of 19, he graduated from California State College with a degree in mathematics and physics. Barely older than his students, George then began his teaching career at West Bethlehem Schools. He taught for four years at "West Beth" and one year at Bethlehem Center High School, where he met the woman who would become his wife.

In 1958, George earned a Master's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh. In the fall of 1959, George began his decades long career at what was then California State College (more recently California University of Pennsylvania and now PennWest California). He was a physics professor for three years before moving to mathematics and computer science. He served as Intern Director for Computer, Information Studies, and Mathematics until his retirement in 2019.

For a number of years, he was a sponsor of the Math Club and the Computer Science Club. George served on the Cal U Alumni Board for many years and collaborated with many alumni and friends to help students. Among his assistance was founding the Dire Need Fund, to help students experiencing financial difficulties, and supporting student awards and tuition grants. While at Cal U, George served on committees too numerous to mention. Among his awards were the John R. Gregg Award for Service and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

He enjoyed working with the Boy Scouts of America to help scouts earn merit badges in computer science. George was a director and teacher in the university's gifted and talented camp, rated by Johns Hopkins University as one of the best camps for children.

George was a lifelong member of both the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). He served as a technical advisor / educator with J&L Steel Corporation (Coal Division) for several years. A dedicated teacher, George gave numerous lectures sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America and the National Science Foundation. Through the National Defense Education Act (NDEA), George also taught educational programs to high school students throughout the tri-county area. Always an avid learner, George attended programs (some under grants from the National Science Foundation) at a number of universities including West Virginia University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Wisconsin.

George was a partner in CND Computer Systems and was an implementer for Data General computer systems. He was the long-serving president of Cal-Ed Federal Credit Union and was a member of the Mon Valley Health and Welfare Council, where he also served as president for a time.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years and was honorably discharged.

George enjoyed country music, occasional visits to the casino, and sporting events.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas (Sara, deceased) Novak; and his son-in-law, Ronald Barber.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 63 years, Eileen Paler Novak; and his daughter, Jean E. Novak of Pittsburgh; sons, G. David (Sheila) Novak II of Fairfax County, Va., and Christopher M. (Jennifer) Novak of Purcellville, Va.; and grandsons, Jacob Novak, Matthew Novak, George D. Novak III, Nicholas Novak and Michael Novak, all of Virginia; brother, Ronald (Jackie) Novak of Manheim; sister, Kathy (John) Hershbine of Sanibel Island, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

George wanted to thank West Beth for giving a 19-year-old his first teaching opportunity, Cal U students, faculty, and staff who worked with him, and the industrial, commercial, and educational leaders with whom he worked in placing interns. He valued the work experiences he had with faculty, administrators, students, student assistants, tutors, and so many others. "I have learned much from all of you, and I wanted to personally thank you. All of you have made my life very enjoyable."

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, in the Mariscotti Funeral Home, Inc., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California. A blessing service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, in the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park.

George's family requests memorial contributions to the California Volunteer Fire Department, 1000 Wood Street, California, PA 15419.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Observer-Reporter on Apr. 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for George Novak

13 Entries

Beverly Mounts

May 4, 2023

Dear Mrs Novak,
So sorry to hear of Mr Novak's passing. I was a a student at Beth Center when the two of you married. I also was in one of his computer classes at Cal U. He was a dear sweet man and a lot of help to my son, Eric Mounts, when he attended Cal U. He will surely be missed, he contributed so much to the world around him.
Sincerely, Beverly Mounts

Lucy Mirisciotti Young

May 1, 2023

Mr. Novak was my Geometry professor at Cal State and introduced me to computers in 1969 when input was punch cards. Working as a math tutor in the Mathematics´ Department during my senior year, I was able to observe Mr. Novak as he interacted with other students. He was always caring, interested and positive. Later on, our paths crossed again. As colleagues, we worked on various professional committees for the Pennsylvania Council of Mathematics and attended many of their conferences. Mr. Novak was liked and respected by his students in whom he instilled the love of Mathematics. He will be missed, but remembered often. Lucy Mirisciotti Young, Cal State 1969,1971

Janet Werstler Austin

April 28, 2023

As a freshman at West Beth High school, I was in Mr Novak´s Algebra class. As a first year teacher of only 19 years old, he was an awesome teacher!
I remember his taking 4 of us from that class to a county Algebra contest. Not only was he an awesome Algebra teacher, he was an awesome Geometry teacher, as well, when I was in his Geometry class. Always enjoyed seeing him at the West Beth reunions. I graduated from California State Teacher´s college in 1964 with a degree in mathematics, became a high school math teacher all because of his inspiration all those years ago. Thank you, Mr. Novak. Never to be forgotten......

Rowena A Loughman

April 28, 2023

Mr. Novak taught me at West Beth School. I've always remembered him and the other teachers I had may he rest in peace! God Bless him for all his accomplishments. Rowena McCarty Loughman.

George and Pattie Hagedorn

April 27, 2023

Eileen and family, you have our Deepest Sympathy. Really enjoyed having you and George at our many Class reunions. He will be missed.

Kelly (Stull) Edgar

April 27, 2023

My deepest sympathies to Eileen, Jean & family,
I had the pleasure of seeing George quite often when I worked in California, he always had a smile & a kind word. One of the nicest people I´ve ever met.

Aaron Marcavitch

April 27, 2023

Sending a good memory from someone who took his week long summer camp in computer coding. He was a great guy.

Dennis Cluter

April 27, 2023

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Barbara Edgar Fusi

April 27, 2023

I was fortunate to be a freshman at West Beth when Mr Novak began his teaching career! Reading that he was only 19 amazes me! He was one of the best and most talented teachers that I have ever known! In fairly recent years I had the pleasure of seeing him at class reunions. I shared with him the effect he had on us as young students. The girls were all in `love´ with him and the boys were scared to make a wrong move. We had many laughs as he related that he felt he needed to start out by giving a strong impression that he was a serious teacher and we were not to step out of line! His message came across loud and clear! We, his students, never forgot him ....and he never forgot us! We were blessed! We will remember him forever!

Eleanor Berczik

April 27, 2023

My deepest sympathy to Eileen and family. G. David was a very frequent visitor to our home during the High School years of my boys.

The Agnes Davis Family

Sent Flowers

Ann Vayansky

April 27, 2023

Dear Eileen and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about George. He was a hero and legend in our Family.
George was my husband, Michael's, physics prof at California. He was his mentor, not only academically, but in his personal life as well.
George took Michael under his wing and encouraged him to go on for his Master's, which led us to Mansfield.
For 43 years, physics students at Mansfield heard about George Novak. Michael talked about him every day. Stories were told( some true, some not so), problems were named after him. When people started to suggest that he retire, Michael would answer that that he could not retire while his physics prof was still working. He had every intention of matching Georges record.
Michael was also very taken with George's relationship with you and your children, and I am sure it influenced our own married life.
We will always be thankful for the gift of George and all of you. How lucky we were!

Rosalie Hall

April 27, 2023

So sorry to hear of George´s passing. He was a wonderful man.
Kathy and I were good friends and I spent many hours in the Novak home. Kathy always spoke of her big brothers with fondness. It made me wish I had a big brother to love me like that.
Later on as I attended Cal U, George was that ever present person. He was so calm and always approachable. Very humble.
Condolences to all the family. Your family has meant so much to me.
Sending my love and prayers to you.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results