James Bostwick Nowak

Jim was a history student of mine at Eastridge HS where he was an outstanding student athlete and an even better person. I moved out of Rochester with family shortly after he graduated but remember him telling me he was continuing his education at Cornell U. (I had three siblings who attended Cornell and knew he would succeed there). To Jim´s family & friends, I am saddened to hear of his death. He certainly made this world a better place & left quite a legacy. May he rest in peace. Judith...

Tweeted this today and felt I should share it here - Jim was an amazing guy: Noticed this bench outside Eastridge HS a few weeks ago. Mr. Nowak was my teacher at Fairport HS. He taught history as well as a bunch of social studies electives like Eastern Religions. He was one of those teachers who stuck with you. Mr. Nowak was high energy, passionate, engaging and he had a way of inspiring students to embrace topics without it feeling laborious. Years after I graduated I heard on the news...

Let us now praise famous men. James you are at the top of the list.

I never met Mr. Nowak. But he was the mentor of my mentor, Kyle Hargrave, a history teacher at Fairport High School. To see how James Nowak changed the world is nothing but inspiring. He somehow left a full legacy after just 59 years on this Earth. There is no doubt that his legacy lives on. I am so lucky to have been educated on this wonderful man, even if it is 11 years after he has passed. R.I.P. Mr. Nowak.

Ah...Jim, the best friend of my early childhood. Your mother, my "second mom", Caroline & Paul my other siblings, your home my second home! May we meet again somewhere out of time...

Ah...Jim, the best friend of my early childhood. Your mother, my "second mom", Caroline & Paul my other siblings, your home my second home! May we meet again somewhere out of time...

Mr. Nowak was my teacher 24 years ago.
I was a senior in the spring of 1996 and was in his Eastern Religions class.
He challenged me to think and question.
He was the kind of teacher and person who impacted my life and the lives of others in ways that go well beyond a high school classroom.
Our world needs more people like Jim Nowak.

Chris Carle Class of 96

Mr Novak was one of the few teachers who really "got" my kids. Neither was an easy student. My daughter is now a high school teacher herself, and Mr Novak is one of her main reasons for wanting to be a teacher, as well as a model for how to be a superb one. Which she is. So his gift keeps giving. I hope he knows.

Jim was an exceptional human being. He was the most dedicated, caring, unselfish, teacher I ever knew. He deeply wanted to make a difference in the lives of his students. Beyond his teaching career he dedicated his life to making a difference in lives of kids and families in Africa. In the short time he lived, he did more to make the world a better place than most people could ever dream.