University of Massachusets Athletics
Longtime Administrator Wally Novak Passes Away At 80
June 04, 2010 | General
June 4, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - Wally Novak, who worked in the UMass Athletics Department for 26 years, passed away at the age of 80 on Monday, May 31. Novak retired in 1992 as the business manager for the Athletic Department after working within the department in many various capacities over three decades. In 2002, UMass and the Court Club at the university presented Wally with the Milt Cole Award for outstanding dedication and contribution to Minuteman Basketball.
Here is his obituary from the Springfield Republican
Walter R. Novak 1929-2010 SOUTHAMPTON - Walter R. Novak, 80, formerly of Miller Ave. Southampton and longtime resident of Easthampton passed away Monday at the VA Medical Center in Leeds. Wally was born Dec. 21, 1929 in Ware, MA the son of the late Rudolph and Sophie (Szlosek) Novak.
As a child he moved to Northampton, where he was educated in the local schools and was a graduate of the Northampton High School. Walter continued his education at the Williston School in Easthampton, where he earned a post graduate Degree. Wally was also a graduate of Trinity College, in Hartford CT, where he earned his bachelor's of arts degree in Economics. Throughout his educational career Wally was a very prodigious athlete who was a three season lettering player in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.
Following school, Walter served in the US Army from 1953-1955, stationed at Travis Air Force base in California. Wally retired in 1992 as the business manager for the Athletic Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, after working for 26 years within that department in many various capacities. Previously he also had been employed at Mass Mutual in Springfield, Milton Bradley, and Lestoil Manufacturing in Chicopee. In 2002, Umass and the Court Club at the university presented Wally with the Milt Cole Award for outstanding dedication and contribution to Umass Basketball. Wally was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Easthampton, and was a member of the Dalton-LaVallee American Legion Post #224.
His beloved wife Betty (Wagner) Novak passed away in 2002. Wally leaves his loving children Cathy M. Novak of Simpsonville, SC, Susan N. Brunelle and her husband Stephen of Southampton, Ma Linda A. Krauss and her husband Bill and Bonnie M. Najemian and husband David all of Farmingdale, NJ; His cherished grandchildren Samantha, Jesse, Alex, Bradley, Rachael, Sean, Steve, Michael, Lynn, and Dane, his adored great granddaughter Katie; His very close cousins Patty Roberts, Richard Szlosek and Bob Szlosek, and 3 nieces.
A military funeral will be held Monday June 7, 2010 9 AM from the O'Brien Funeral Home followed by a mass of Christian burial 10 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, burial will be in the Main St. Cemetery, all in Easthampton. Calling hours will be held Sunday 4-7PM.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to the Soldier-on (a program for homeless veterans) 421 North Main St., Leeds, MA 01052 or the American Legion Baseball Team Attn. James Finn 190 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA 01027.
