Official Obituary of
Jack Novak
October 6, 1930 ~ June 14, 2015 (age 84) 84 Years Old
Jack Novak Obituary
NOVAK
Jack, of Ridgefield, NJ died Sunday June 14, 2015. Jack was born on October 6, 1930 to Thomas and Helen (Barasich) in Hvar, Croatia.
Cherished and dedicated husband of 61 years of Lillian (nee Stegos). Beloved father of Thomas and his wife Beth of East Hanover, NJ; Charles and his wife Irene of Clinton Township, NJ; Linda of Saddle Brook, NJ; and the late Elizabeth and John. Jack was a loving grandfather and is also survived by his grandchildren Thomas Jacob, Elizabeth, Alexander and Jaclyn. Jack was a dedicated brother of four predeceased siblings (Yvonne of the UK, Franceska, Maria and brother Sveta of Hvar, Croatia), and numerous nieces and nephews here in the US and Europe.
He left Hvar in 1943 and lived in a refugee camp in Egypt for several years before coming to New York City in 1946 and meeting his future wife Lillian. Jack served honorably in the United States Army as a Military Intelligence Corporal for two years and saw active duty on the front line during the Korean conflict. After the war, he joined the Heat & Frost Insulators Union and worked as a pipe insulator and head foreman for the Robert A. Keasbey Company for over thirty years, working on powerhouses throughout the New York area. Toward the end of his career, Jack spent extensive time repeatedly testifying in Court on behalf of former co-workers who had been injured by exposure to asbestos and sought compensation for their injuries. After retiring in 1988, Jack was very active in retirement and enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends and working out regularly at his local fitness club. He was an avid soccer, hockey and Yankees fan, and enjoyed swimming, strolling the beach, reading, working around the house and managing his investments.
The family will receive their loved ones and friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Avenue, Ridgefield (201) 945-5032. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday at 7:45 AM to attend the Funeral Mass to be held on Thursday at 9 AM at the Church of the Epiphany, 247 Knox Avenue, Cliffside Park. Interment to follow at Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ. For directions or to send condolences, please go to blackleyfuneral.com.
Jack, of Ridgefield, NJ died Sunday June 14, 2015. Jack was born on October 6, 1930 to Thomas and Helen (Barasich) in Hvar, Croatia.
Cherished and dedicated husband of 61 years of Lillian (nee Stegos). Beloved father of Thomas and his wife Beth of East Hanover, NJ; Charles and his wife Irene of Clinton Township, NJ; Linda of Saddle Brook, NJ; and the late Elizabeth and John. Jack was a loving grandfather and is also survived by his grandchildren Thomas Jacob, Elizabeth, Alexander and Jaclyn. Jack was a dedicated brother of four predeceased siblings (Yvonne of the UK, Franceska, Maria and brother Sveta of Hvar, Croatia), and numerous nieces and nephews here in the US and Europe.
He left Hvar in 1943 and lived in a refugee camp in Egypt for several years before coming to New York City in 1946 and meeting his future wife Lillian. Jack served honorably in the United States Army as a Military Intelligence Corporal for two years and saw active duty on the front line during the Korean conflict. After the war, he joined the Heat & Frost Insulators Union and worked as a pipe insulator and head foreman for the Robert A. Keasbey Company for over thirty years, working on powerhouses throughout the New York area. Toward the end of his career, Jack spent extensive time repeatedly testifying in Court on behalf of former co-workers who had been injured by exposure to asbestos and sought compensation for their injuries. After retiring in 1988, Jack was very active in retirement and enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends and working out regularly at his local fitness club. He was an avid soccer, hockey and Yankees fan, and enjoyed swimming, strolling the beach, reading, working around the house and managing his investments.
The family will receive their loved ones and friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Avenue, Ridgefield (201) 945-5032. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday at 7:45 AM to attend the Funeral Mass to be held on Thursday at 9 AM at the Church of the Epiphany, 247 Knox Avenue, Cliffside Park. Interment to follow at Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ. For directions or to send condolences, please go to blackleyfuneral.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack Novak, please visit our floral store.
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Jack Novak
© 2026 Blackley Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility