Dear Tom love you and miss you more then you'll ever know, watching the Cubs play tonight and texting Sue throughout the game and We're real close to bring it home again (even) thou were Sox fans but you would agree the were ( Chicago) fans. Miss you more the you know, and I'm proud of your Family for how strong that they have been during this great loss and I know that you would be very proud of them. God Bless and know that you are very much missed and Loved. Love you Paula and John

Dad...

God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered, "come with me." With tearful hearts we watched you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, your hard working hands laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best!

Not a day has gone by that I don't think of you and miss sitting and talking to you. One of our last deep conversations when was you came back from Arizona and we were on the patio talking and I asked you "Are you sad?" and you said...NO, I have had a GREAT life and this day was chosen for me on the day I was born. I felt so happy to know that you were at peace with what was going on. I miss you and I love you more than any words can say but know that.... "All is good, Dad"

Love Always,

Me

God's Garden.....God looked around his garden and found an empty place.  He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face.  He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.  With the help of his angels they flew you to your heavenly place.                   God's garden must be beautiful, he always take the best.  He knew you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.  He knew you would never get well on Earth again.                  He saw the road was getting rough and the hills too hard to climb.  He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be Thine".  It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone.  For part of us went with you the day God called you home.       Poem anonymous.            " Memories of Tom                                       ".      I could not have hoped or wished for a son-in - law for my beautiful daughterSusan non other than you Tom.  You gave our family 45 years of memories that will live in our hearts forever.  Thank you for being a son, a loving husband to Sue, a dad to Ben and Kelly, a grandfather.  You gave me two beautiful grandchildren and five great grandchildren whom I treasure dearly. So many special memories  allways brings a smile and reflections of years past.  Remembering......8th grade field trip to Springfield. Il.  You though Sue was cute.  The GIANT clothes wardrobe you built for her...with a lock on it to boot....Then came the beautiful wedding day. Ben and Mikey's first Christmas at Judy's with all the family.  Many Sunday's on Fox Lake boating, swimming and eating great food.  I have my favorite photograph of Kelly taken their on Nan's table.  Tom you made the best fried potatoes in the whole world and you took a Red Baron pizza and turned it into a gourmet pizza.  You were a good cook and so enjoyed it.  Always the last person to eat and always stood at the counter to eat with exception to Naperville.  I remember fondly eating at 5 or so and everyone took turns sharing about their day.  Even Ben and Kelly.  Of course I remember one evening at dinner Bens turtle came crawling across the floor.  The birdhouse you help Ben make for a project  was later salvaged and I made it into a beautiful art piece "snow children at night ".   VEGAS...  Wonderful memories from all my visits with you and sue, di and Mike.  The Christmas that a knock was upon the door and Thunder arrived.  Just a baby puppy.  Kelly had the chickenpox.  DUCK CREEK UTAH.....Oh how the mountain was so beautiful. Grannie said that was one of many best trips she ever went on.  Memories of being with both families at Duck Creek over the years are forever in my heart as well as being in Vegas.  I was always amazed at you Tom how you could work so many odd hours and yet never complain and all the times you would drive me to the airport before going to work.  Back to Duck Creek... The first Christmas in each house, presents, cookies, snowmobiles,  Cameron calling Come on Poppy" and off you would go thru the woods flying.  Di even taking Teddy for a ride thru the snow.  So much fun.  Tom you were always content to just read or watch tv while Sue and I went exploring or taking the children along.  Upon returning you always asked about our trip and smiled.  My last visit on the mountain in July 2016 was so special and the last photograph I took of you with that special smile that was alwAys the same.  You and Ben were sitting on the back porch.  Sue, Ben and I had taken the children to Zion National Park hiking, wading across the river and enjoyed a picnic lunch.  That evening we all sat around the campfire, sang camp songs, and went on a tiny night hike around the pine trees.  The children loved it.  We were all exhausted.  VEGAS...Oct. 2016. Happy Birthday   I shall always remember your words and smile when you opened your birthday gift from me.  The most precious memory I will  carry in my heart forever is knowing that you are with our Heavenly Father. Praise the Lord and Amen. We all miss you Tom and will always keep you in our hearts

Dear Uncle Tom, I will always cherish the memories I have from my visits as a kid and adult. Listening to everyone's memories of you and all the kind words, I smile. I smile because you left such a positive impact on so many people by doing the right things like working hard, and being kind to everyone. I will carry the memories I have with me and do my best to leave a positive impact during my time as you did on those who love you very much. I love you and miss you.

A Poem and Tribute to my Brother-In-Law

My Memory Library - by Sarah Blackstone

Imagine if I was given one moment,
just a single slice of my past.
I could hold it close forever, 
and that moment would always last.

I'd put the moment in a safe,
within my hearts abode.
I could open it when I wanted,
and only I would know the code.

I could choose a time of laughing,
a time of happiness and fun.
I could choose a time that tried me,
through everything I've done.

I sat and thought about what moment,
would always make me smile.
One that would always push me
to walk that extra mile.

If I'm feeling sad and low,
if I'm struggling with what to do.
I can go and open my little safe,
and watch my moment through.

There are moments I can think of,
that would lift my spirits everytime. 
The moments when you picked me up,
when the road was hard to climb.

For me to only pick one moment,
to cherish, save and keep,
Is proving really difficult,
as I've gathered up a heap!

I've dug deep inside my heart,
found the safe and looked inside,
there was room for lots of moments,
in fact hundreds if I tried.

I'm building my own little library,
embedded in my heart,
for all the moments spent with you,
before you had to part.

I can open it up whenever I like,
pick a moment and watch it through,
My little library acts as a promise,
I'll never ever forget you


And that I won't Tom. I have 45 wonderful years in my memory library living life with you, Sue, Ben and Kelly.  I could not have asked for a better brother-in-law.  You were simply the "best". 

Thank you for being such a loving father to my niece and nephew and for your everlasting love for my sister.

Many people get to experience love in their lifetime, but "true love" happens only to a few lucky ones, and that's what you and Sue had "True Love".

I am truly blessed to have had you in my life, and will forever treasure the simple things and time shared with you. Like all the cups of coffee shared over a life time, and a fall October morning in 2014, sitting on the back porch of your cabin when you helped me to capture a picture of the Stellar Jays. 

You kept spotting for me as I kept snapping.  I will never forget the smile on your face, when I zoomed in and showed the shot I got.

Duck Creek will forever hold a special place in my heart as I know it did for you. When I think of it, I'm reminded of camping, campfires, breakfast sandwiches, dreaming, planning and all of us fulfilling a dream come true "the cabins". They were a labor of love built by two families that have shared a lifetime together and a love for nature.

I will forever keep those times alive in my heart to bring me a smile when I need it.

We love you Tom, and you will truly be missed!

Love 
Mike & Di

Dear Poppy,
I loved when you would pick me up from school, and being your little helper at the cabin. Thank you for taking me to cut down the Christmas tree in Utah and for the sledding. I miss you so very much.

Love you always-your Grand daughter
Carli

Dear Tom: I Love you more then you will ever know, your kindness to me and how you opened your heart to me I will never forget. I love your soft spoken voice and how you embarrassed me when maybe others didn't. You are one of the most kindest and giving people I've every meet. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. Love you with all my Heart. I miss you dearly, Paula

Dear Tom we Love you more then you will very know, the Drag Races were in Vegas and it was the hard for us not to call you and talk to about the races as we did for years. I can't go for one day in my life without thinking of you and I don't remember one day or one moment that you were not  a part of me life. I Love you and Sue and your children and grandchildren more then you will ever know. I Love you Cousin! Love John & Paula

I met Tom in 1971 when I was in sixth grade. That's the year Tom began dating my beautiful sister Susan. They were in eighth grade.  Six years later they married and I was honored to be one their bridesmaids. A few short years later I  became the proud aunt of Ben & Kelly.  I have so many fun memories of Tom, Sue and their children, through the years. We went to concerts together, boating on the weekends, roller skating, played hockey at Kedvale Park, pumpkin farms with our children, holidays, family reunions and the 1986 Chicago Bears Superbowl Party!! We all loved Coach Mike Ditka and Walter Payton.  The list goes on & on. Tom loved is family more than anything. I will forever miss him. I'm blessed that I got to spend time with him prior to his passing. Thank you Tom for loving my beautiful sister Susan for forty five years. May God be with Sue and her family during this difficult time, to watch over and protect them the rest of their lives. Until we meet again. God Bless 
Love Judy & Rick

Dear Sue and Family, 
I met you all Oct 1991, you welcomed me into your family and when you all met Sid, you welcomed him into your family too.  Tom was such a loving person and when Sid brought  you your first Rottweiler, I watched Tom beam and love him so much.   I remember Echo Bay and though he hated it, he went because he loved you all so much.  I spent many a holidays at your home.  Tom was a man that everyone could like, such a kind soul.  I feel very privileged to have known him and spend time with him.  Even at his beloved "CABIN"  Thank you Sue and family for sharing him with me.

To my Dearest Husband who meant everything to me,
I loved you boldly, madly, greatly, gladly, truly, clearly, so sincerely, deeply, sweetly, and completely. Long before we said, "I do", my heart and soul belonged to you. 
Thank you for most wonderful 45 years of our lives. I'll love you forever.
 Until we meet again...

Your Loving wife
Sue

Dear Sue and family,  I am thankful I got to spend time with you and Tom and to see the all the family. I will miss tom deeply, but I am forever grateful and thankful that the last time I could be with tom was a blessed time set aside by Christ himself. For it is his desire that none should perish but all would come to the knowledge  of the truth and accept the free gift of salvation Through  Christ our lord . I will see tom again one day and we will rejoice together in his kingdom , I send out prayers for you and family that he Christ will bring comfort to your all you hearts

Dear Susie and family, 
    We were so sorry to here about Tommy,
Time has a way of slipping away and you look back and the next thing you know it's been 10 or 15 years since you have seen or talked to someone, the last time we saw Tommy was about that long ago, you were building the house in Utah and he came to see us at Gerry & Gerard's house and was excited telling us about how the house was coming along. (Memories)
Sue, take care and were thinking of you both.
Love Jim & Pat Mellon (Molenda)

To the Novak and Ruenzi families,  
Tom was a very special person. He will be missed by a lot of people who's lives he has touched. He taught me so many things. I thank God he was in my life. I will miss you my wonderful double first Cousin.  
Love you Uncle Len and Roxan

To Sue, Kelly & Ben,

I send you my deepest condolences on your loss. I sit back and can only ever remember good times growing up with Tom. There were never any bad times with him. From the times as grade schoolers playing  hockey in the alley or on the ice until way past dark, or to getting our drivers licenses and the freedom that it gave us, especially for Tom and his yellow Challenger. We spent many a night going to the race track after the 6th race started, so we could get in for free, and betting on the trotters. Then off to Harlo Grill for a cup of coffee before calling it a night. I remember waking up in Tom's Cadillac one New Year's Eve day just north of Nashville, with Tom at the wheel, a fire in the ashtray and the car sliding out of control on the ice covered road, as we were returning from a week's vacation in Ft. Lauderdale and heading to Gallatin to pick up Sue at her grandmother's house on our return home. There are so many more good times we had together that made him one of the truly good guys in life. He will be missed.

My sincere condolences for your loss.  Tom talked about his grand children and family all the time.  His thoughts were always with his family and they meant the world to him.  Please let me know if we can help in any way.  He will be missed and out thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob McDaniel (Mesquite,NV)

Sorry to learn about Tommy's passing.
My condolences to his sister, Jerry.

Love, Aunt Lil

My sincere condolences to the family! Sending positive thoughts and prayers to all of you!

My sincere condolences to the whole family. Tom inspired me when I was going through my IL2 chemo. And he said to me "All will be good"! Rest in Peace my Friend! you'll be missed!

Dear Aunt Sue and Family:  We will miss Uncle Tom, but have wonderful memories of both of you and the kids when I was young - even though you all have been in Vegas, it feels like yesterday when we saw him here in IL or spoke with you both on the phone.  Our prayers are with you and your family during this time.  Love, Brian, Cecille, Brandon, & Brianne Molenda

Dear Sue and Family: Our Hearts are filled with wonderful memories of Tom and it's hard for us to know that we can't talk with him anymore, I will miss our conversations on the phone and hearing all that was going on with you. I will always treasure my last visit with you in Vegas. We walked forever as you showed us every casino that you worked at I was happy after several hours that you let this old man call it a night, I thought you would never stop. You and me sitting at the bar while the girls gambled,and we talk about everything and anything. I will miss you more then you'll ever know and I'm thankful that you are my Cousin and my Friend. Love you Tommie. Love John and Paula

OBITUARY

Thomas Robert Novak

October 7, 1955 – October 12, 2016

Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

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