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| John Wyatt Novak
OIL CITY- John Wyatt Novak, 63, of Oil City, died Wednesday morning, August 19, 2015 in Meadville, following a ten year battle with cancer.
He attributed the success of his long fight to the prayers on his behalf from the pastors and congregation of the Seneca United Methodist Church. Thanks for the long survival are also due to Dr. Kirtland, Dr. Maslov, and many other doctors.
John was born November 9, 1951 in New York City. His father, John W. Novak, Sr. was once Chief Deputy Sheriff of Venango County, and his mother, Betty M. (Adams) Novak, was an Oil City High School graduate who went on to become a Dean at the University of New Hampshire. John was raised along with his sister and three brothers in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Spain. As an adult, he also lived in Mexico and Guatemala, as well as in many states in the U.S. such as Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Rhode Island. He attended Oyster River High School in Durham, New Hampshire, and later studied art at the University of New Hampshire.
An expert skier, water-skier, and sailor, John was a finish carpenter and loved fishing and football. In earlier years, he enjoyed raising parakeets. He ferried sailboats in the Caribbean for various private owners; and owned a forty-two foot sailboat which he chartered in the Caribbean. In his later years he became an expert cook, receiving honorable mentions twice in the Derrick's annual contest. He was proud to be a member of the DOG cooking club. After seeing expressions of horror from people about the club's name, he would explain that it stood for Distinguished Older Gentleman's Cooking Club. The club required nomination for membership by an existing member, and then a vote of approval of a meal cooked for the membership, so he was honored to join. Many local people, especially at doctor's offices, enjoyed his wonderful cookies that he so generously shared.
John is survived by his sister, Kathleen Novak of Oil City, with whom he lived; his brother, Scott Novak and his wife Manuela, his niece, Pauline Novak, and his great-nephew, Liam Novak, all of Playa del Carmen, Mexico; his uncle, Dominic DiDominic and aunt Jean of Oil City; uncle Bill DiDominic of Palm Springs, Calif., a niece, Harmony Lanz and a great-nephew Atlas Lanz of Atlanta, Georgia; niece Jessica Kerrick of Birmingham, Alabama; uncle Derry Michael and his wife Barbara of State College; and cousins Sharon Love, David Michael, and Kenny Michael.
He is also survived by many relatives on his father's side of the family, and by numerous life-long friends he was good at keeping in touch with. He will be missed by many people, especially his sister, whom he had cared for the past twelve years. He will also be missed by his Maine Coon cat, Marmalade, whom John liked to call his miniature Golden Retriever.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Michael Novak and James Kerrick.
At John's request, there will be no formal funeral services held.
Memorial contributions to assist with funeral expenses may be made to Hile-Best Funeral Home, P.O. Box 245, Seneca, PA 16346.
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