Joseph C. Novak, age 91, of Delaware Township, NJ, passed peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Joe was born on February 17, 1932, in New Brunswick, NJ, to Joseph Kazimierz Nowak and Anna Malck Nowak, and relocated to Hunterdon County in 1962.

He was employed as a Millwright at Johns-Manville in Manville, NJ, and later worked as a mechanic at Lipton in Flemington, NJ, trades he honed while serving his country in the Air Force during the Korean War era.

Joe was a dedicated and beloved member of his church and community, serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist at St. Magdalen’s Church, Flemington, NJ, and as a Charter Member/Treasurer of the Serra Club of Hunterdon County since the early 90s. Throughout his life, he actively participated in Boy Scouts and 4-H as a way to spend quality time with his sons and later his grandchildren. During retirement, he found joy in farming, watching sports, attending softball games, and assisting those around him in any way he could. On any given day, he could be seen supporting operations at the Harvest Moon Inn, Ringoes, NJ, or volunteering for his church.

Joe is preceded in death by his loving wife, Violet Novak; a brother, Stanley Novak, and his spouse, Rosemarie Novak of Hillsborough, NJ.

He is survived by five sons, Kenneth Novak of Elkwood, VA, Michael Novak of Norwalk, CT, Stanley Novak and spouse, Theresa Novak of Delaware Township, NJ, Gregory Novak of Delaware Township, NJ, and Christopher Novak and partner, Donna Papa of Abingdon, MD; four grandchildren, Breana Novak of Denver, CO, Josie Bryszewski and spouse, John Bryszewski Jr. of Gloucester City, NJ, Alex Novak of St. Petersburg, FL, and Gianna Novak of Blacksburg, VA; one great-grandson, John Bryszewski III; a brother, Edward Novak, and spouse, Helen Novak of Spotswood, NJ; and many dear friends.

Joseph will lie in repose on Sunday, September 17, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Fr. Timothy Christy and assisted by Fr. Joseph Lugo and Fr. John Primich will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive at the church that morning by 9:45 a.m. and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Entombment will take place following the mass at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, 94 North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and again, all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Joseph’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Serra Club of Hunterdon County 9 Orchard Drive Flemington, NJ 08822 or Hope House at St. Magdalen’s Church 85 Bonnell Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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