Philip Lawrence Novalski Sr.

Philip Lawrence Novalski, Sr., age 79, of Stafford, VA passed away Sunday, June 21, 2020 at his son’s residence. He was born on April 5, 1941 in Hazelton, PA, the son of Walter and Anna Novalski (Maxwell). He lived much of his life in Philadelphia, PA, and was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. Two of his favorite moments were when his beloved Phillies were crowned World Champions in 2008, and the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl Championship in 2018. As a teenager, he became an accomplished jazz drummer and owned a drum kit for most of his life, still playing into his seventies. At the age of 20, he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Berchtold. They married in 1963 and remained together for the rest of his life. By trade, he was a printer and owned his own business for almost forty years. He was a respected and talented printer and graphic artist. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed many great outings with his oldest son and two grandsons. He loved to paint birdhouses with his granddaughters and was an avid gardener in his free time. A loving and dedicated family man, he moved to Stafford, VA, in 2007 to be nearer to his grandchildren and worked for Stafford County Parks and Recreation until retiring in 2020. Phil was also a very proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous where he made many lifelong friendships. He was very proud of the fact that he just celebrated his thirty-ninth year of sobriety. Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Ellen Novalski; two sons, Philip L. Novalski, Jr., and Christopher Novalski of Stafford, VA; daughter-in-law Debbie Novalski (Starr); his four grandchildren Kaitlyn, Jon, Christian, and Becca; and his brother Ronald and sister-in-law Anita Novalski of Philadelphia, PA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Novalski. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, VA 22554. The family will receive family and friends one hour prior to the service.