A longtime Manitowoc businessman, youth baseball coach, umpire, sponsor & office holder passed away recently. Gary L. Novak Senior passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 75. Gary ran Novak’s Service Center on Washington Street for over 40-years until his son, Jeremiah, took over the business. He also was Commissioner of the Manitowoc Youth Baseball Association before becoming its’ President.
The current M-Y-B-A President, Randy Heinzen, tells SeehaferNews.com, “People like Gary Novak were kinda the staples of the organization. He provided a lot of leadership, putting coaches and parents on that right path.”
Heinzen, who has been involved in the youth organization for about 20 years, recalled one of Gary’s favorite sayings. “It’s about the kids.” Heinzen told us Novak would use the phrase if he was dealing with problem coaches or parents, to remind them what it was all about.
Gary Novak’s role in the M-Y-B-A was so important, they named one of the fields after him at the Manitowoc Youth Sports Complex at Citizen Park.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday at Pfeffer Funeral Home from 3 until 7pm.
