Posted by Doris Nowak, wife on February 28, 2013:

JOHN A. NOWAK, LTC USA ...we said good-by with skies so blue Taps blaring in the air tears came down, hands were joined and we said our final prayer. ......Good bye, Dear John...... John (nickname "Jack" to all who knew him through high school) was born December 1, 1933 in a small town on the north eastern shore of Lake Huron, Alpena, Michigan to Edward and Blanch Nowak. He was the second oldest of five children. As a young boy he was indoctrinated with "you must go to college, you must work hard and above all keep God in your prayers." He attended St. Bernard's Catholic grammar school and church, where he was an altar boy. Along with brothers Don, Dave, Jim and sister Mary, he spent his formative years working as a paperboy and enjoyed outdoor activities such as swimming in nearby abandoned limestone quarries and ice fishing on lake Huron. He graduated from Alpena Central High School in 1952 where he was voted class president. In his senior year he was voted most valuable football player. In fact, at the year-end football banquet, Coach Frank Curran said Jack was truly "Jack of all trades" in that he successfully played wherever/whenever needed which included starting positions of tackle, center and quarterback on a team that went 7 and 1 that year. His "can do" upbeat personality suited him well. John's way of life impressed all those who he came in contact. He really didn't have an enemy in the world. His "can do" and upbeat attitude were the primary characteristics folks remember about John. His untimely death on May 16, 1994 greatly saddened all who knew him. (Dave Nowak, brother). John, along with other members of the class of 1958, reported to West Point on July 6, 1954. After Beast Barracks, he was assigned to Company F-2. John maintained his faith, being a member of the Cardinal Newman Club and serving as an acolyte in the Catholic Church. He was a member of the Weight Lifting Club and pursued his artistic bent in the Camera Club. He made his fame by being in "The Long Gray Line". Yes, we were able to pick him out in the boxing scene. He enjoyed playing cards and became great friends with his roommates, Joe Di'Tomasso (deceased) and Ben Pellegrini (General, USA). John enjoyed cigarettes, before we all know of the health hazards. On many a morning, after reveille and before first call for Chow, John would have several cigarettes in the room and we all had to make sure they were out before we left. John had a great sense of humor--a quick friendly smile and easy going. He had to endure Joe's Frank Sinatra and Ben's Dean Martin renditions. In John's first class year he met Doris Martel at Sun Canyon, NY. They began dating and soon became engaged and united in marriage on July 12, 1958. The Mass was officiated Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tuckahoe, NY, where Doris was born and raised. To make their marriage complete, Ben and Joe were groomsmen. They looked so professional in their military uniforms. The reception was at Viafore's in Yonkers, NY, and the party continued at Doris' house and then they left for their honeymoon in upstate, NY. Soon they were packed up and on their way to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, home of the Artillery. During assignments John and family became avid campers, boatsmen and enjoyed the many long weekends spent at Lake Elmer Thomas, Ft. Sill, Okla. Our first camping trip was a tragedy. High winds came up and the tent collapsed in the middle separating us from Mom and Dad. This didn't bother Dad as he got up and made his famous breakfast, handed my mom her plate, the winds came and flipped the plate over on her hand. "That's it" she said, "the tent is going back to Montgomery Ward." And that's when we bought our first Terry camper. We even had air conditioning. He was assigned to Ft. Sill, Okla. in 1963 and in 1964 his son Edward was born. In 1965 he was assigned to Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, spent two years there and where, in 1965, his daughter, Mary Ann was born. He was then assigned to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas (Command and General Staff school) and onward to Georgia Tech Inst. of Technology where he received his masters in Industrial Psychology. When the opportunity to take an assignment in Turkey either accompanied for 2 years or unaccompanied for 1 year, the family did not want to be separated and relocated to Izmir, Turkey from 1976 to 1978. His children were in middle school and the transition challenging, but all quickly adapted and found the experience to be incredible. Moving back to the states he was assigned to St. Bonaventure University, Olean, NY where he headed the ROTC program. During that time, his son found his passion playing Football for Olean High School and his daughter found hers as an equestrian. John gave them constant support and optimism and never missed a football game or horse show. "He never criticized us or attempted to give advice on how to improve. That wasn't his style." In 1984 he became the first Professor Of Military Science at Fredonia State University, Fredonia, NY., and where both Mary Ann and Ed graduated. He later retired from Ft. Monroe, Virginia and took residency in Pawley's Island, SC. John continued his education and went to Coastal Carolina college and became a teacher of English, taught classes at the Georgetown Tech. School, completed a course in accounting and later took the H&R Block course where he was employed until his death on May 16, 1994. A memorial Mass was said for John at Precious Blood Catholic Church. He was honored by the Ft. Jackson Color Guard with a 21 gun salute while is ashes were inurned in St. Peter's Columbarium, Pawley's Island, SC. When his flag was handed over to me I realized my life would never be the same but knew I would carry on for him and our children and believe God does have a plan in our lives and knew better not to question. Life did and still goes on and one day we will be united again. John was a military man through in through. But his first love was his family. We always were doing something "Together as a family" was one of his favorite sayings. John always encouraged his children in everything they did and was always supportive. "Whatever's right," was another of his famous expressions. He was always there for us, no matter what we needed. Edward attended Olean High School. Olean, NY. This is where he proved himself in football, voted most valuable player in senior year when they went undefeated. Ed's fondest memory of his father was when they would play "a quick nine holes of golf." They would get up before dawn and were always the first ones on the course. "We were terrible, and we knew it. But it was just the two of us, and we had the best time together". We had to play early, so he could get back and make us all breakfast! We all remember his infamous "sunny side up eggs with zing" (which was eggs cooked in old bacon grease). Dad was quick witted and was always ready with a sarcastic remark. He had that rare ability to make people smile and laugh even when times were tough. Mary Ann's memories of her Dad include when he would get up at 4:00 in the morning to drive her to horse shows. He did all he could to help her and although love for horses was not his thing, he never missed a horse show, and was proud of the multiple ribbons she won. She excelled in Dressage and rode her horse "Strip Teaser" thru grammar and high school, where she won multiple ribbons, until she entered Fredonia State in 1982. "I couldn't have done this without him and his support". "Truly a great Dad, and I miss him. He was like 'my best friend' as he was always supportive of all my endeavors (especially when I bought home kittens, stuffed in my pocket.) Dad, thanks for everything. Love, Mary." John loved to tease: he would call three year old Mary Ann to the kitchen "quick, here comes the Poppin Fresh Dough". When she got there Dad would say "oh you just missed him. He'll be back soon, and I'll catch him next time" These memories we will never forget. Mary Ann skipped her senior year so she could follow Ed and her Dad to Fredonia State and where Ed and Mary Ann graduated in 1986. We all miss you, Dad. John loved parties and it was accepted by all that he would turn lights off at nine pm and go to bed. This didn't bother anyone, they continued to party and it wasn't a surprise for him to wake up in the morning to find bachelors camping out on the living room floor in front of the fireplace. He would then make breakfast for all. After his retirement, he became fascinated with "red solo cups". He wouldn't throw them out but wash them and hang them upside down to dry on anyplace he could find: lampshades, dining room chairs, etc. Here in Pawley's when the Red Solo Cup song became famous, friends would hold their cups up high and toast to John. John truly had a colorful life and took on any challenge he could. His life was an inspiration to all and we have wonderful memories. We dearly miss him and know he's in a place where he can never lose at Poker. Go with God, John. I want to thank Jack Downing, Ben Pellegrini, and Glenn Brown for their expertise in assisting me in writing this article. Without their knowledge, professionalism, patience,, etc. I would never been able to produce this Tribute. Doris Nowak

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