James Novack Obituary
James Novack
February 4, 2026
James Novack, 75, a longtime resident of the Marvine Dutch Gap section of Scranton, died on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center, Scranton. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Lorraine Davitt.
Born September 9, 1950 in East Brunswick, N.J., he was the son of the late Gabriel and Mary Nowakunski Novack and the stepson of the late Charles Novack and Stanley Osenkarski. After graduating from Riverside High School, James answered the call of duty, and enlisted in the United States Army, hopscotching the globe for the next 20 years, living in Vietnam during the war, and later in Virginia, Italy, Georgia, Germany, Arizona, and Korea, along the way. A skilled master carpenter by trade, he was a valued employee with a rock solid work ethic, working at Scranton Lace Works, Anemostat, and Simplex Modular Homes, retiring from Simplex in 2014.
Leisure time was often spent fishing, affording him a certain peace and solitude unlike any. Music’s evolution to Rock n Roll in his childhood proved timely, engaging and inspiring. Through Elvis, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd and so many others to follow, the music of his generation spoke deeply to him. During his youth, James expressed his artistic abilities through his elaborate, detailed drawings.
James is survived by two daughters, Tiffany (Steven) Rhodes, Lake Ariel, Jennifer (Wiliam) Mackey, Dickson City, three granddaughters, Abigail, Amelia, and Annabelle Mackey, a brother-in-law Robert (Patricia) Davitt, sisters-in-law Rosanne and Joan Davitt, several nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
In addition to his parents and step-parents, James was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul (Lorraine) and Gabriel (Bernadine).
A Visitation will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 4-6 pm at the Edward Knight O’Donnell Funeral Home, LLC, 323 William Street, Scranton, with a Blessing Service to commence at 5:30 pm.
James will be laid to rest privately, with full military honors, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center, 303 Smallacombe Drive, Scranton, PA 18508
Express condolences and share memories at freganfuneral.com
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