John J Novak, Jr. "Sonny"

John J Novak Jr, 93, of Laurel Circle in Bridgewater, NJ passed away peacefully at RWJ University Hospital, Somerset on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ on February 6, 1932, John was the son of John and Anna Novak and the brother of Jean and Terry Novak. Preceded in death by his wife Rita of 68 years, John was the beloved father of Laura (Michael), John III (Michelle), Andrew (Sharon) and Dennis (Rick), grandfather of Michelle, Lindsay, John IV, Samantha, Corrie, Christopher and Morgan and great-grandfather of John V, William, Caleb and Maggie.

John had an amazing memory and loved to share stories of his life growing up in Elizabeth, his travels in the Navy on the USS Canisteo and working in New York City. He was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local #22 and the former owner of International Sheet Metal and Plate Manufacturing Inc of Somerville. A longtime communicant of St Joseph’s Church in Bound Brook, he also belonged to both the Masonic Lodge and the BPOE in Bound Brook.

A twenty-year resident of Somerset Run, John enjoyed his time in retirement by travelling with his wife Rita throughout the US and Europe. Winters were spent soaking up the sun, playing Bingo and dining out in the Florida Keys. In his seventies he became quite the distance walker, participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team-in-Training marathons in Dublin, London and Alaska. As a member of the Somerset Run Billiards Club, John was the proud winner of several championships.

As he aged, John became a fan of Suduko, an avid reader of World War II and mystery stories “on the I-pad” and a lover of the library at Laurel Circle. He is already sorely missed by his large and loving family.

Gathering with the family will be 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Hagan - Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ 08805.

Services will be 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 26th at the funeral home, followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church, Bound Brook.

Entombment at Resurrection Burial Park will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Deborah Hospital Foundation - Click Here to Donate or call 609-893-0100

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Click Here to Donate or call 1-888-557-7177