Greensburg resident had life full of stories

Frank “Bunsie” Novak loved telling stories, and he had plenty to tell.

The son of Czech immigrants, he grew up on a farm and went to school in a one-room schoolhouse.

He was a star football player in high school and got a scholarship to play at Saint Vincent College, but dropped out to join the Air Force in World War II.

Frank G. Novak, 96, of Greensburg, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at Loyalhanna Senior Suites.

He was born Feb. 17, 1923, in Mutual, to the late Joseph and Anna (Novitsky) Novak.

His high school football coach wouldn’t have him on the team, said his son, Frank Novak Jr.

“They said he was too small, they wouldn’t give him a football uniform, wouldn’t let him play on the team,” he said.

A Greensburg coach said he’d give Mr. Novak a shot, so Mr. Novak hitched a ride to Greensburg so he could play, becoming an All- County center.

In the service, he learned to fly B-24 bombers but the war ended just before he was to be sent overseas. He got a job working in a West Virginia coal mine.

An explosion shut down the mine, so Mr. Novak went back to Duquesne University while his wife Estelle worked as a nurse. He earned a master’s degree and went on to teach for many years at Hempfield High School.

“He had an incredible life,” said his son, Steven Novak.

As a teacher, he helped start a work-study program for troubled students.

“He thought everyone should have a chance,” said his daughter-in-law, Pam Novak.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and working outdoors with his wife, tending their large garden.

“He liked hard work, he always said a man can dig a lot of dirt in a day,” Steven Novak said.

After the war, Mr. Novak spent 20 years with the Air Force Reserve. He served as a member of the Greater Latrobe School Board and auditor for Unity Township.

Mr. Novak is survived by his children, Frank Novak Jr. and his wife Pam, of Latrobe, Nancy Novak of Greensburg, and Steven Novak and his wife Dawn, of Rochester, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home, 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe.

Military honors accorded by the Latrobe-Derry Veterans Honor Guard will be held at 9:15 a.m. Saturday in the funeral chapel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose Roman Catholic Church, 4969 Route 982, Latrobe. Private interment will be in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Bridges Hospice, 515 Pleasant Valley Road, Trafford, PA 15085.