Adam John Novotny of San Diego, California, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at UC San Diego Hospital in LaJolla CA from an extended illness. Adam was born the middle of three children to parents Jeff and Jody Novotny in Cincinnati OH on April 27, 1979. He moved with his family several times during the years 1980-1986 from Cincinnati to Canton OH, Chicago IL, and San Diego CA, the latter becoming his permanent home in 1986. Following graduation from Mira Mesa High School in June of 1998, he held several positions with retail stores, including Toys R Us and Circle K. He joined Petco in 2019 where he worked until the present time.
Adam was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend with a wonderfully dry sense of humor. He greatly enjoyed music, concerts, movies, musicals, television, and parlor games, as well as collectibles related to his favorite entertainments. He especially liked rock, metal, and gothic music, and was partial to comedy, dark comedy, adventure/sci-fi, haunted tales, and horror genres. He never tired of many longtime specific favorites, including the rockers Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath, and Nick Cave; the musicals Man of LaMancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Phantom of the Opera; the movies Halloween, Friday 13th, The Ninja Turtles, and Ghostbusters; the holiday shows Grinch, Garfield, Charlie Brown and Disney Legend of Sleepy Hollow; the television shows Alf, Beavis & Butt-Head, Southpark, Addams Family, and Monk; and the games Stratego, Battleship, and Chess. Adam also loved family celebrations and the associated goodies. He enjoyed all types of comfort foods and desserts, being always in the mood for shrimp, sushi, and any dish with mushrooms. His days off from work were punctuated with getaways to grocers Ralphs & Trader Joe’s, and oceanside walks with his headphones at Mission Bay and La Jolla Shores. His pets held a very special place in his heart and memory, growing up with yorkie El Cid, cocker spaniel Holly, and basset hound Ellie May. He adored his cat Benny Gomez Addams.
Adam is survived by his father, Jeff Novotny; sisters, Dana (John) Rivers and Lisa Novotny; brother-in-law, John Rivers; nephew, Malik; niece, Maya; uncles, Robert Novotny, Timothy Novotny, Michael Neri, John Horinger, and Dave Rand; aunts, Teresa (Jacob) Thornhill, Jari (Hejduk) Novotny, Toni (Lionel) Lavoie, Gina (John) Horinger and Briggitte (Dave) Rand; and 11 cousins. Adam was preceded in death by his mother, Jody (nee) Neri; uncle, Lionel Lavoie; and cousin, Kimberly Neri. The immediate family attended cremation services under the care of El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego. A celebration of his life is being planned for extended family and friends in July, with details to be shared as soon as possible. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are requested in Adam's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - online via: www.stjude.org/donate.
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