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Michael Novakowski (Mike)

December 3, 1921 - October 1, 2017

 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mike Novakowski, our beloved patriarch and the glue of our family, on October 1, 2017 at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Vernon BC at nearly 96 years of age. 

Determined to receive a letter from the Queen on his 100th birthday, we believed he would reach that milestone simply because he truly believed he would.  Although that lofty goal was not quite met, Mike left nothing on the table when he did leave and we will be eternally grateful for his time with us on this earth. 

His strength, determination, perseverance, wit and sense of humour, youthful spirit and his will to live were truly remarkable, leaving us with wonderful memories and very big shoes to fill.

Mike was born on December 3, 1921 in Hazel Dell, Saskatchewan to Annie and Lawrence Novakowski, the fourth of sixteen children. 

In 1946, after being discharged from the Army, Mike came to Vernon, British Columbia from Saskatchewan and in 1947 met Helen, the love of his life for seventy years.  They were married in 1949 and shortly thereafter moved to Copper Mountain, BC where Mike was employed as an underground driller at the Copper Mine. 

Their first two children were born while living at Copper Mountain, where the family remained until 1955 before returning to Vernon.  After returning to Vernon, Mike began his career in the Water Department with the City of Vernon, during which time his second two children were born.  Mike retired from the City of Vernon in 1985 after thirty years of service. 

First and foremost, Mike was a family man who dearly loved and cherished his wife, his kids and their spouses, his grandkids and their spouses, his great-grandkids and his brothers and sisters and their families. 

Taking the greatest pleasure in the simple everyday things in life, Mike also loved cars, science, space, history, nature, fishing, camping, a free Daily Courier, jelly beans, pistachios, donuts, going out for coffee and Judge Judy.

Mike is survived by Helen, his loving wife of 68 years; his children, Carl (Sandi) Novakowski, Shirley (Ed) Forslund, Judy Pickering and Brian (Peg) Novakowski; his grandchildren, Tyler ( Elise) Forslund, Lindsay Forslund (Jes), Drew (Emily) Novakowski, Craig Novakowski (Tiffany), Paula Irving (Jan), Derry Pickering (Brittany) and Addison Pickering; his great-grandchildren, Sequoia Cave, Raya Novakowski, Sophie Forslund, Austin Novakowski and Zachary Novakowski; his eleven siblings whom he loved dearly, Paul, Eddie, Joe, Frank, Edward, Steve, Rudy, Bernice, Helen, Rose and Paula; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and all of their families. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Annie and Lawrence; three brothers, Walter, Carl and Frankie and one sister, Mary.

Cremation preceded a Celebration of Mike's Life which will be held at Bethel Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 11:00 am with a Reception to follow in the Bethel Tea Room.

As an expression of sympathy, those who wish to do so may send donations in memory of Mike to BC Children's Hospital Foundation, 938 - 28th Avenue W., Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4.

Funeral arrangements have been made with BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD., 5605 - 27th Street, Vernon, BC, V1T 8Z5, 250-542-1187.



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