OBITUARY INFORMATION FROM SOLAN-PRUZIN FUNERAL HOME (SCHERERVILLE, IN) WEBSITE:
T.J.” Thomas John Novak passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 15, 2023 at the age of 40. He was born in Indiana on June 14 and always joked he had the distinction of sharing his birthday with Flag Day and Donald Trump.
Tom grew up in Indiana, graduated from Purdue University Calumet, and began his teaching career shortly out of college. He proudly taught 7th Grade Math at Hobart Middle School for eight years before moving to Illinois.
He married Jennifer LaSarre on August 10, 2018 and they had two children together. He was a loving and involved father to his son, Layne, born 2017, and his daughter, Harlow, born 2019. He enjoyed going to parks, museums, and family parties with his kids.
In Illinois, he taught at Peacock Middle School in Itasca for six years, tutored at Huntington Learning Center, and most recently, taught Eighth Grade Math at Harlem Middle School in Loves Park. He was a dedicated teacher throughout his life and formed strong bonds with countless students.
Tom’s passion in life was music. In addition to sharing his music trivia and knowledge with others, he was a talented guitarist and songwriter. He played in many school talent shows and was the creative force behind several bands, including The Public Divide and World Class Extortionists. The highlight of his musical career was playing his original music at The House of Blues in Chicago in 2018.
He was also a beloved son and shared a close bond with his parents, Jeffrey Novak, Michele Roberts, and stepfather, Norm Roberts.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Novak (LaSarre); precious children, son, Layne and daughter, Harlow; parents, Jeffrey Novak and Michele (Norman) Roberts; grandma, Patricia Kay Moore; grandpa, Gerald Lee Moore; and numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded by paternal grandparents, Walter and Delores Novak.
He lives on through his children and everyone he touched in life.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Ave., Schererville, IN. A Service Celebrating Thomas's Life will be held at 7:00 PM with Deacon Jim Renwick officiating. Services conclude at the funeral home.
A memorial will also be held for friends and family in Illinois on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM under the green pavilion at Prairie Fields, 1111 Fairgrounds Rd, Belvidere, IL.
This information and picture below were obtained from: https://www.solanpruzinfuneralhome.com/obituary/tj-thomas-novak.
