Albert Ned "Al" Novara

MARION - Albert "Al" Ned Novara, 81, of Marion, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Carbondale. He spent his last days with his children and brothers at his side.

Al (known as Butch to his family and Bo to his wife) was born on August 28, 1943, in Murphysboro, to Leonard and Leita Novara. He was the third of the four Novara boys and remained close to his brothers his entire life. We are grateful that he never had to experience a world without one of his brothers.

Al was a Vietnam War veteran. He served at the rank of captain in a US Army Aviation Battalion as a C7-A Caribou pilot from 1966-1969. He received many awards and unit citations, including a Purple Heart. Though he endured trauma and health problems both during and after the war, he was still deeply proud of his service. In his later years, he became quite active in local veterans' communities and participated in an Honor Flight in 2022.

Al attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he earned his bachelor's degree in biology. He attended graduate school at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and earned his master's degree in wildlife conservation. He started his career with the Department of Natural Resources before joining the US Fish and Wildlife Service. While based in North Dakota, he worked for many years as a pilot waterfowl biologist for USFW, flying throughout Canada, the US, and Mexico. He eventually transferred to Maryland before returning to Southern Illinois with his family in 1991, where he worked at the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge until his retirement in 2004. Al had a remarkable career and was well-known as a waterfowl migration specialist. He had a strong bond with nature and loved spending time outdoors.

While at SIU, he met and later married Nancy (Nan) and together they shared nearly 40 years of marriage until her death in 2020. They were opposites in nearly every way, and Nan always helped carry him through the darkest of times. She was the brightest part of his life. They had two children, Andy and Nell. Al loved his children dearly and was deeply proud of them. In his later years, he became a grandfather. His grandchildren brought him much joy in the years after losing Nan.

After retiring, Al continued to volunteer for the refuge and began teaching aviation classes through SIU School of Aviation. He maintained his love of flying into his later years, and he logged countless flight hours. He was also an avid swimmer for over 20 years, with daily swims first at JALC and then The Hub. His pool friends were an important part of his daily life. Even as health problems prevented him from enjoying his many hobbies, Al still made time to see his friends and make nearly daily visits to Sam's Club. He will be missed by everyone in his vast orbit.

Al is survived by his children, Andy (Jayme) Novara and Nell (Brendan Houlihan) Novara; his grandchildren, John Michael Novara and Evie Nan Houlihan; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Andy (Jane) Novara, Gene (Jeri) Novara, and Chuck (Connie) Novara; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Al had very clear final wishes and planned to donate his body to the SIU School of Medicine. We have fulfilled that wish. He was also adamant that no services be held in his honor. Thus, there will be no formal service or mass held. However, though we are respecting the spirit of these wishes, we do recognize that his many friends would like to pay their respects and share their memories. We will therefore be holding visiting hours with family and friends from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his memory.

For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.