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John Novak Obituary
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ROBERT SIEGEL
March 16, 2020
It's hard to believe 10 years have come and gone sine we lost John. I don't know if there were many days I haven't thought of him. And I surely miss watching movies with him, OH how he would have loved the first bluray 1080p high Def release of The Sound of Music and Oklahoma, taken in 1080p from original 70mm negatives, or the bluray releases of the Star Trek films. But I have a feeling he is well aware of these in heaven. What a man John was, gentle, kind and so caring. John my best bud, I miss you so much, rest in peace.
Joseph Wickner
October 9, 2016
Friend. Mentor. Watch over me John. I'll see you on the other side.
April 16, 2010
sorry it has taken so long to write. I want to say how sorry I am about John. I couldn'd get off work to make it to his revuel. I remember his room in the basement with all his music things. John working at Jack Reeds rest. I helped him clean up at night a bunch of times. Instead of paying me for helping he would cook me up a big steak sandwitch. Also his new blue 66 ford galixcy....I lost my John last July. thank you Mrs. Novak for being there. Your John will be missed by a lot of people...Risk Swedlund
Mark Fellman
March 27, 2010
I'm so sorry for your loss He was a great man!!
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March 26, 2010
Mrs. Novak: Sandy e-mailed with the news of John's death. You and your family have my deepest sympathies. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for John's funeral but I won't be back to Minnesota until Easter. I offered Wednesday's mass prayers for him. I know you will miss John terribly but at least you know he is in a wonderful place with God. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Carol (Mrs. Donlon)
Lisa Callahan
March 24, 2010
I met John at Nicollet garage, we were both drivers there, he brought many many smiles to my face, very very great at having conversations about his theater job, and talked about his niece all the time, he was a great guy and a great driver, and a great friend, i will miss him dearly especially at the union meetings. as long as i sat in front he would always sit by me, i will miss him so much, and i am so sorry for your loss.
Dave Teague
March 24, 2010
To the Novak family....I knew John as a projectionist at the Cooper when I was a manager years ago. I still remember is jovial laugh and interesting conversations! He was a true professional and I also miss his academy award parties he held in his state of the art viewing room in the basement! Those were the days! I am very saddened to hear of his passing. Dave Teague (Fridley, MN)
John Murphy
March 24, 2010
I first met John in 1979. I was an usher at the Grandwiew theater and he was a projectionist at the Roseville 4. I got to know him through mutual friends. He was my mentor to get into the projection end of the business and became one of my best freinds. I pray that his family will get through this well. My family is thinking of you all. John, thanks for for being my mentor, my friend, the best man for my wedding and for being you. Reuniting with people like you is the one thing I can look forward to when it is my time.
Jeff Johnson
March 24, 2010
I got to know John when I worked at the Cooper theatre back in the early eighties. We would have many late-night talks about numerous issues while waiting for the final showings to end. Unfortunately, I lost touch with him when I left the Cooper back in 1983, but I will never forget his love for audio and video perfection, as well as the group get-togethers in his basement for the Academy Awards show each year. He was ahead of many folks when it came to home theatre technology. I'm sad that he left us early, but I guess God was having some trouble putting his own home theatre together, so he called on John.
Pat Nacey
March 24, 2010
I was fortunate enough to marry Terri and by doing so, I was able to become part of the Novak (extended) Family. I have always been impressed with the way they love my wife and accepted me as new family member.
Last year John and Terri were hospitalized at the same time. I was fortunate enough to witness the love and bond of the Novak Family to Terri. Seeing the entire Novak family come visit her was great. Then John got lonely and came wandering in to her room for a visit. I could only sit and laugh as I listened to those two giggled and talk about old times and family happenings. I knew John wa smart, but he also had a great sense of Humor. There was a true bond between Terri and John that I had not noticed until then.
I alway admired Johns gentle spirit and his vast knowledge of History, Music and Movies. He could make a boring story come alive.
We all loved him, we all will miss him. He was truely a wonderful person. Thank you for everything.
Jack Siegel
March 23, 2010
The Novak's: I am so saddened to learn of Johns passing. He was BEST friends for years with my brother Robert,and I use to really enjoy talking to him when he came up for visits at our cabin and at the house and when he came over to my brothers home when he lived in the twin cities. He was such a warm and caring person, and will be greatly missed.
Robert Siegel
March 23, 2010
To the Novak family:
My deepest sympathies to all of you.
John and I met in 1981 through Terri and it was true friendship since, and turned into best friends. John was the most kind, warm decent human being I have known in my lifetime and I thank God I was blessed to have him in my life for 29 years.
John was someone I could always turn to for comfort in hard times and he felt he could do the same with me, and I feel so lucky to have known him and to have gotten to know you, his wonderful family.
I shall miss our nightly e-mails,our 4 or 5 times-a-week phone conversations for hours on end, our endless talks about movies, but most of all I will miss his good-hearted soul and the love and caring that always surrounded him.
Rest in peace, my best friend.
Terry Christensen
March 23, 2010
I was very shocked and dismayed to learn of Johns' sudden passing. Please accept my sincere condolences for your familys' loss. We are in Texas and will not be able to attend any ceremonies,but remembering pleasant memories of working with John and Laurie. Driver #209
Rick Fine
March 22, 2010
I first met John in 1971 when he was my School Bus Driver for my sophomore year at St Louis Park High School. John became more than just a bus driver over the years, he became a true friend. He introduced me to his younger brother Richard who became my best friend in high school and for years to come and the rest of his family.
Although John was never able to pass on his love for great sounding music (other than great movie and Broadway soundtracks) to me I do have fond memories of his quest for the perfect acoustics in his basement music room. We spent hours in deep discussion on various topics mostly our mutual love of movies and TV especially Star Trek and Star Wars.
It was John's innate goodness and kindness that led to my initial job and career of School Bus Driver.
John, I know you're sitting at God's side tonight, please make sure He stays seated until the bus comes to a complete stop!
I'll miss you man, it was a pleasure being your friend and having you in my life.
Florence, Richard and the rest of the Novak family please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of loss and mourning.
Julie Fine
March 22, 2010
To the Novak family;
I am saddened to hear of John's passing this past weekend. We had been out of touch since I moved away from the Twin Cities but did have a chance to catch up and have him meet my husband and my daughter in 2001....My memories of John go back to Bus 19 in Westwood Hills to and from St. Louis Park High School....we stayed in touch because "the brothers Richard" made sure of it! His smile, his laugh and his wonderful sense of humor are the things I will always remember. We shared many good times, Star Trek, music, movies, gabfests at Perkins late in the evening....and I will always remember him with fondness.
May his memory always be a blessing!
John, 1980 - Plymouth, MN - taken by Marty
Martin Gaines
March 22, 2010
To the Novak family:
I am deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of John, whom I considered a good friend! I could have wound up just being some jr. high kid on the bus making nothing but small talk with him, but when he realized I had an intense love of music, I wager he saw a bit of himself in me, and he went out of his way and generously turned me on to a whole new sonic experience I'd never forget. If it weren't for John, I might have been stuck listening to music all my life in quality barely better than a telephone earpiece! That was about the quality level my plastic stereo had, which my father bought for me. Thanks to John, I knew I had to upgrade, and I am forever in his debt! He touched my life, and by extension, my father's as well. Eventually, he heard my new stereo, and he wanted it as well to listen to his Bach and Beethoven through. Of course John meant more than just music. His love of the cinema touched me as well, and he was just kind hearted all around, and witty, with a great sense of humor. He had a great laugh! Still, I can't help but think about those angels singing in heaven right now, with John's arrival. I know what John is thinking....and I would agree....all those harps and angels would sound even better playing through John's home theater! Rest in peace, John! I love you, man! And I am really, really, REALLY gonna miss you!
March 22, 2010
Florence and Family;
Words can not describe how saddened I was to hear of John's passing. I have such found memories of my childhood years living next door to you all and he was a part of those memories. He was also so kind to my family during my father's illness and passing. He is a sweet kind soul and will be missed terribly. My love to all of you. You are in my prayers.
Mary Bechay Miller
Terri Nacey
March 22, 2010
Even though I am divorced from your family, John remained a brother to me and your family is still considered part of my family, with love and in my heart. His kind heart and gentle spirit will always be cherished and never forgotten. We will miss him dearly. Florence, I know how much you will miss him. Your faith in God will pull you through. Our prayers are with you at this time. A line to a song that got us through our recent loss is: The ones you love, never really go away, if you only keep their memory alive, listen to the wind, you'll hear him howl again, as hound dogs never die. God bless and keep you strong.
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3960 Wooddale Avenue South, Saint Louis Park, MN 55416
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