Thomas Toeller-Novak

Tom scored a hole-in-one on the 79th hole on June 28 when he left the challenges of Parkinson’s behind for what he deeply believed will be a life of peace “beyond all understanding” (BCP). His no-holds-barred-out-loud laughter will linger like a symphony throughout his family and friends. Tom offered the great gift of meeting each person where they were with a willingness to walk alongside them.

Tom was perhaps best known as a peacemaker with a skill for blending families – his own and within the larger community. He worked to bring a voice especially to those who were silenced or excluded by fear and a lack of understanding.

Tom and Deirdre met in court in 1976 and began a friendship based on the understanding that neither was interested in marriage. Ten months later they began the first of 43 years as that odd couple who shared her name as well as his. His sons, John Edward Kosak (VA) and Timothy David Kosak (MI), taught him the rules of (step) fatherhood and he wound his way firmly into their hearts. They are grateful for the mellowing effect that he had on their mother. Jennifer Butler Kosak (MI) joined the family as his daughter-in-law and, with Tim, gave birth to Joshua Alexander Kosak (Loretta Brundige and Adalynn) (MI), and Caleb Jonah Kosak (MI); they set new stars in our galaxy and they taught Tom the first and only rule of grandparenting: Say yes.

Tom was devilishly smart and firmly rooted in his belief that Jesus, the Son of God, commands that we love without reservation and without condition and that the tent be open to all persons. Tom received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, and was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church in 1964. He was a priest of the Diocese of Grand Rapids until 1972 when he resigned to protest a church that he believed was one of both reservation and condition.

Tom served as a probation officer and director in the district courts until 1984. Upon being received into the Episcopal Priesthood of Western Michigan in 1984, he served as associate pastor at Grace Episcopal in Grand Rapids and rector of Grace Episcopal in Holland from which he retired. He continued to serve part-time as an interim, supply, and priest-in-charge for several parishes with a long and loving tenure at Good Shepherd Allegan.

Tom was born in 1940 to a polish meat market owner, Leo Novak, and an Irish mother, Mary Sagan Novak, in Muskegon MI. He learned the art of cutting a fine piece of meat at his father’s market and preferred that Deirdre not buy or prepare beef. Tom is survived by a sister, Margo York (Mounds, OK), niece and nephew, Kara and Nick, and a cousin Ronald Komarek (R’na) in Muskegon.

Tom served the community with various boards and organizations - invariably those focused on making the world a more inclusive and compassionate place. He will not be able to appreciate flowers, but his legacy will live through commitments to social justice. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Grace Episcopal Church in Holland Michigan or Out on the Lakeshore (OOTL) in Holland MI. Tom’s commitment to social justice was equaled by his love of music. A gift to The Vicksburg Band Boosters Inc. would purchase instruments and offer band camp scholarships for students who would find the expense a burden (501 E. Highway, Vicksburg MI ).

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Holland, MI on Monday, July 8, 2019, 11:00 am. The Rev. Jennifer Adams, Rev. Canon William Spaid, and Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose will preside. Family will be available to meet visitors at 10:00 am in the Commons.