Novak, Don
By Canton CitizenDr. Don Novak, 87, of Canton, passed away peacefully among family on October 10, 2025.
Don was a scholar, a philosopher, and a creative thinker. He enjoyed spirited discussion and would always amaze with his depth of knowledge on a vast range of topics. After graduating from St. Ignatius, a Jesuit high school in Cleveland, Don spent his undergraduate years first attending a seminary and then earned his BA and MS in philosophy at Xavier University. He spent a year in France on a fellowship program and then went on to Boston College to obtain a PhD in philosophy.
Don worked for over 30 years at Massachusetts General Hospital. He taught theology, philosophy, and ethics at Xavier, Marycrest, Northeastern, Stonehill and Boston College. In his spare time, Don was passionate about classical music and recorded many orchestral performances and had an extensive classical record collection. Don enjoyed tinkering, repairing clocks, restoring antiques, and building personal computers.
Don was born in Cleveland, OH, and was the second born of 10 children, the son of the late Edward and Julia Novak. He is survived by his siblings Mary Louise Walsh (William) of OH, Judith Wheeler (James) of CT, Thomas Novak (Mary Ann) of OH, Elizabeth Heyworth (the late Anthony H.) of IN, Therese Mason (Scott) of RI, Edward Novak (Beth) of VA and Anne Novak of Washington, D.C., and many, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Novak and sister Susan Novak.
Don was a devout Catholic layperson, Eucharistic minister, CCD instructor, and choir member of St. Oscar Romero Church in Canton. He deeply trusted his faith and lived a Christian life with grace, compassion and humility.
A special thanks is offered to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and ICU D8 staff for their kind care of Don in his final days and hours.
A visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 22, in St. Oscar Romero Church, 700 Washington Street. The visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with the funeral Mass following. Interment will be private.
Donations may be made in Don’s memory to St. John’s School Foundation, 696 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021.
“Don trusted in his faith and lived his life as a Christian with grace, compassion, kindness, honesty and humility.”
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Posted by Canton Citizen
on Oct 16 2025. Filed under Obituaries.
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