The funeral Mass for Deacon Neal J. Novak, retired, was celebrated Dec. 10 in St. Clarence Church by Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa. Father Neil Kookoothe, St. Clarence pastor, was the homilist.
Vespers were Dec. 9 in St. Clarence Church, with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost presiding. Deacon John Travis was the homilist.
Deacon Novak, 77, died Dec. 4. Survivors include his wife Diana (Hamilton), children and a grandson.
He was ordained to the permanent diaconate for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 1, 2010 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist by Bishop Richard Lennon.
After ordination, Deacon Novak was assigned to serve at St. Michael Parish in Independence. On Aug. 1, 2014, he was assigned to serve at St. Clarence Parish, where he remained until his retirement on Sept. 15, 2023.
Those who knew him said Deacon Novak was a gifted homilist, had a great love of learning and was proud of his Irish heritage. They said he enjoyed his diaconal ministry and his fun loving, joyful disposition was appreciated by many.
Interment was at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River.