Alfred Louis Novick

The first of his family of immigrant Russian Jews to be born in this country, Al entered the world in Roxbury, MA on October 28, 1914, at the dawn of the Great War. As a young boy, he began his life-long love of the game of golf by shagging balls and caddying at the Franklin Park Golf Course. As a teen during the depression, Al worked as a soda jerk at Howard Johnson's for 11 cents an hour. Again, the first in his family to attend college, Al worked his way through the University of Massachusetts and Tufts Dental School. He then enlisted in the United States Army and served for six years, including nearly three years in the jungles of New Guinea during WWII, and attained the rank of Captain.

After the war, he married Doris Kerstine of Philadelphia, and they were married for more than 60 years until her death in 2005. He created a very successful dental practice and was beloved by all his patients. Al is survived by his two sons, Steven and his wife Martha of Falmouth and Stuart and his wife Katherine of Canton, his two grandchildren, Sarah McGuirk and her husband Michael of Norwell and Joshua Novick of Brooklyn, NY, and three great grandchildren, Jack, Katie, and Molly McGuirk, all of Norwell.

Al's greatness was not derived from fame or fortune; nor from momentous discovery or invention. Rather, his greatness came from the way he lived his life. As his family and friends knew him, he was a man who always approached life with a positive attitude. No matter what challenges were thrown his way, he would simply adapt, make no complaints, and carry on. Al loved everything about life -- he worked hard, he played hard, and he loved to party. He could light up a room with his smile, and never had an ill word for anyone. Al had a genuine love for people that showed in all he did. There could not have been a more sociable person than Al Novick. And for his family, he was an absolute rock of unqualified love and support.

They just don't make them like Al Novick anymore. He represented the greatest of the Greatest Generation. His death is like the felling of a Giant Sequoia tree -- a great majesty lost and irreplaceable. The world is palpably diminished by his absence, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A private service for family will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to express their sympathy to make a contribution to the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021.