Albert “Al” Novak, 77, of Kansas City, Missouri, was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, after a courageous battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. He passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife, several of his children, grandchildren and pastor, while in the thoughts and prayers of numerous other family members and friends.
Al, son of Joseph and Luetta Novak, was born on December 3, 1946, in Titusville, Pennsylvania. In 1951, he moved to the Kansas City area with his family, and he graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1964. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Maine where he studied aviation electronics and repaired military equipment during the Viet Nam War. He received an honorable discharge in December 1967. In March 1968, he accepted a position with Trans World Airlines (TWA). On April 24, 1981, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Toyne, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Gladstone, Missouri. Together for 43 wonderful years, they were blessed with three sons, one daughter and five grandchildren.
Al’s professional career began at TWA. He hired in as an Aviation Mechanic and worked in the electronics and radio shops. His strong work ethic and attention to detail helped him be promoted to an Inspector. He received numerous awards during his 42 years at TWA / American Airlines before his retirement in 2010. Enjoying the outdoors, Al then operated a lawn service business for 12 years and had many satisfied customers until his health deteriorated.
Al had a heart for helping others and was an avid volunteer. He coached and was actively involved in his children’s athletic teams, including launching and supporting a summer league swim team in Hills of Walden for more than 20 years. Using his artistic skills, he helped to create the sets of his children’s elementary theater productions. He lent a guiding hand with various scouting projects, including his oldest grandson’s Eagle Scout Project. He devoted more than 1,500 hours of service in senior living communities, becoming licensed to drive the shuttle bus so he could take the residents on special outings. He began the beloved Bean Bag Baseball program at Wexford Place where his in-laws resided. He was a devout Catholic and shared his faith by volunteering as a youth group mentor, PSR instructor, and Eucharistic Minister at St. Charles and then as an active member of the Knights of Columbus and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Family.
Above all, Al’s greatest love and pride was his family. He supported Carolyn through every joy and sorrow life brought. He was overjoyed with the birth of their four children, the additions of a son-in-law and two daughters-in-law, and the precious gifts of five grandchildren. His favorite title was “Papa” and he actively engaged with his grandchildren’s fun and games, often the instigator of their mischievous antics. He demonstrated the importance of a strong work ethic and through his shared wisdom, he inspired his family to do their personal best and persevere through the challenges of life. He was patient, sensitive, humble and kind, teaching each of them lasting lessons to carry throughout life.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; their children: Thomas Novak, Matthew (Sherry) Novak, Andrea (James) Sprenger, and Christopher (Dimitra) Novak; their grandchildren: Tyler Barnard, Marlowe and Piper Sprenger, Miles and Penelope Novak. He is also survived by his sister, Mae Coe, and his brother, Mike Novak, and many other dear relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Linda Novak, Jerry Novak, David Novak and Wyatt Novak; and his beloved parents-in-law, Ralph and Betty Toyne.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 24, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Holy Family Catholic Church (919 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64155).
AL’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE:
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church (919 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64155). Lunch, visiting, and a slide show presentation will immediately follow in the Parish Hall.
NOTE: Al planned this service and one of his final wishes was that we would all gather and celebrate God’s goodness and promise of eternal life. We invite everyone to join us.
Services will be live streamed at www.holyfamily.com/funerals
Burial with military honors will be at 2:30 pm, also on June 25, at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to one of the following:
Holy Family Catholic Church (www.holyfamily.com)
The University of Kansas Memory Clinic (KU Endowment: Attention Celeste Greenlee for the Memory Clinic, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Mailstop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160)
Kansas City Hospice (https://www.kchospice.org/donate/)
Al lived his life believing
that our greatest power was
simply being kind to each other.
Let us strive to live as he did.
