Kenneth Stephen Novack

Ken was beloved by many people for the many roles he played in those 78 years. Raised around Hamtramck, Ken shined as the starting high school quarterback until he volunteered for service in the Vietnam War as a United States Marine. Ken was deployed to South Vietnam where he served as a radio operator in an infantry platoon. Though he seldom spoke of it, he fought bravely during the Tet Offensive at the Battle of Hue between January 31, 1968 and March 2, 1968.

Following his service, Ken earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Detroit College of Business and worked as a bank manager for Comerica Bank across the Detroit area. A lifelong lover of Motown music, Ken would happily tell you of his time working as accounts manager for the Four Tops. He retired from Comerica after many long years of service and found another love in motorcycles.

While Ken was proud of his military service and career accomplishments, one of the dearest things to his heart was his 28 years of sobriety and the strong community that he found there. Ken was a great source of wisdom and strength for so many and dedicated so much of his life to helping others. He chaired meetings, he sponsored others and, for over a decade, ran sobriety meetings for incarcerated men looking to gain what he had. He even combined his love of bikes and service to sobriety with the Hogs In Ministry (H.I.M.) motorcycle club. Perhaps most impactfully, he lived out his principles as an example to others. He did all of this with great joy.

While Ken will be remembered for these things, he will be remembered most as a loving father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He spoke with such love and pride of his children and grandchildren and loved living just ten minutes away from his grandson and granddaughter. He was a combat veteran, bank manager to Motown stars and a wise, sober “old-timer.” But, in his moments playing with his grandchildren at the pool, excitedly heading out to visit his kids for a holiday or vacation, or sitting around a pot of black coffee in some folding chairs, he was just Dad, Grandpa, “Uncle Nerd”, Kenny or just Ken. He will be so greatly missed.

Ken is survived by his daughter Lanie Novack (and her partner Emmett) and his son Adam Novack (along with his wife Tina and their children Karina Novack and Kole Novack). He is also survived by his niece Lynette Douglas, his nephews Mike Riley and John Riley and their families, with whom he was very close.

Visitation will be Friday evening, May 29, 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 West University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307. A funeral service will be held at that same address on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 11:00am to 1:00pm with a final visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Oakland County Alano Club, 5661 Clintonville Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348 where a celebration of life potluck will be held following the service. The family will be providing fried chicken, and beverages will be for sale. Guest are welcome to bring in a side dish or dessert to share.

Ken will be inurned at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.