Obituary of Michael Novak MD

Michael P. Novak, MD Schenectady, NY Dr. Michael P. Novak, 74, of Schenectady NY passed away unexpectedly at home on June 6, 2013. An avid marathoner, he died suddenly after completing a particularly satisfying run. He was born on December 17, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY, the cherished son of the late Leon and Sylvia Novak. He was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School and entered Union College at age 16, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine from which he received his MD degree in 1962. He was a board certified internist and nephrologist, training respectively at Jacobi Hospital in NY and Boston University. In 1969 he returned to Schenectady to practice medicine, serving for over 40 years the community he grew up in, both as a practitioner and resident physician educator. He continued in this capacity, offering volunteer medical care after retirement. He married Judith Atran on November 24, 1960. They shared 48 years of marriage, the last several of which he cared selflessly for her at home until her untimely death. In 2010 he married Agatha Ann Belli with whom he shared 3 brief but deeply fulfilling years marked by love, companionship, and adventure. Dr. Novak was a man of broad talents and interests. He travelled extensively and had a deep personal connection to the land of Israel, which he shared with Agatha. He was a congregant at Temple Gates of Heaven and a profoundly spiritual man. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of Temple Gates of Heaven. He loved all forms of classical music and opera, collected unique artwork from his journeys, was deeply interested in politics and the welfare of our nation, and was fascinated by new technology- an early adopter from 8-track to the iphone. He enjoyed marathoning, having completed over a dozen as well as countless local road races. He loved fishing dawn to dusk at Sebago Lake in Maine, wearing out the land lock salmon if not always catching them. He was an accomplished cross country skier, plying the trails from the 1970's at Fo'castle Farms to last March at Lapland Lake. He remained intellectually, culturally and physically active despite many health challenges over the past decade. He is survived by his wife Agatha Ann Belli Novak, and son Kenneth Novak, MD and wife Ellen Blum, MD, grandchildren Emma and Sylvie, son Jeffrey Novak, MD and wife Michele Bonamo-Novak, MD, grandchildren Marc and Lauren, daughter Jennifer Jolie and husband Michael Jolie, MD, grandchildren Erica and Danielle; Sister Leslie Anne Novak and niece and nephew Amy and Steven Goldberger, He is also survived by his step children, Robin and Gregory Raciborski , Claudine and Sanjay Pande, Melissa and Dr, Nathan Mitkoff and Danielle and Louis Miranda. Agatha's grandchildren, Deven, Francesca, Michael, Addison, Jacob, Benjamin and David will miss their "Dr. Mike" very much, He also leaves a sister in law, Diane Fischer as well as his niece and nephew, Allison and Bradley. He imbued in his family a strong commitment to medicine, teaching, and lifelong learning. He embodied values of loyalty, intellectual rigor, and passionate devotion to his family, friends and patients whom he always greeted with a warm smile and his full attention. We will all greatly miss him. His funeral will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue Schenectady, NY with Rabbi Matthew Cutler officiating. Interment ceremony will immediately follow at Gates of Heaven Cemetery. Shiva will be observed on Sunday through Tuesday, commencing at 7pm each evening. Contributions in Dr. Novak's memory may be offered to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The United Jewish Appeal, or Congregation Gates of Heaven, Rabbi's discretionary fund.