Steven Novelli

Steven J. Novelli passed away November 11, 2012 at the age of 93 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Mr. Novelli was born on June 1, 1919 in Seattle, Washington to his parents Agostino Novelli and Maria Zucci. He was the last surviving member of his siblings.

In the summer of 1938 Mr. Novelli arrived in Alaska searching for work and adventure. He joined some of his brothers fishing and crabbing throughout southern Alaska.

Mr. Novelli met his wife Margaret in Anchorage and were married in 1944 in Naknek, where he was working in the fishing industry and she was working at a cannery.

The couple took residence in Anchorage and had two daughters and one son for nine years. In 1953, they moved to Seward where Mr. Novelli began his career as a longshoreman, retiring in 1983. During this time, Mr. Novelli was able to support his family as his wife took the three children and settled their homestead in the Knik area for fourteen months primarily in 1959.

The family moved to Anchorage in 1964 where he resided until his death.

After retirement he enjoyed spending several of his winters as a snowbird in Yuma Arizona where he loved the heat, his orange trees and the flea markets.

Mr. Novelli lived in Alaska for 74 years and witnessed the transition from territory to statehood. From his service building the Seward Highway to working in the fishing industry, he was always in awe of the growth and beauty of the place he called home.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Novelli; his daughter Maria Dykstra and her husband Carl Dykstra, daughter Barbara Novelli, and son Brad Novelli and his wife Persi Novelli.

He is also survived by six grandchildren- Michael Novelli and his wife Stephani, Jason Novelli, Karlena Bode and her husband Deas, Nicholas Novelli, Maressa Novelli and her husband Marcus, and Tiffany Pierson and her husband Joseph.

He also leaves behind fourteen great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 23rd at Legacy Funeral Home Bragaw Chapel located at 1707 S. Bragaw Street.