Anthony J. Nowak

Anthony James Nowak, 43, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2016 surrounded by his adoring family after a courageous 4 year battle with melanoma. Anthony was born on September 17, 1972 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He grew up in Indian Orchard and was a 1990 graduate of Springfield Central High School. For several years, he served on the Springfield Police Department working in various divisions including the detective bureau and mounted patrol. After living in Boston and New York City for several years, he returned to Indian Orchard to work at his family’s business, Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services. He attended Hudson Valley Community College and received his degree in mortuary science in 2012, graduating with academic honor. Later that year, he became a licensed funeral director and became co-owner of the business with his sister. He was a current board member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association.

Anthony loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and participated in many bike rides for charitable organizations. He avidly followed world news and politics. A real kid at heart, he was a huge Star Wars fan and enjoyed jet-skiing, playing weekly card games with friends, playing in a bowling league with the “Gutterboys” and never missed the chance to cheer on his favorite football team, the New England Patriots. Anthony will mostly be remembered for his amazing, witty sense of humor that drew all types of people to him.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Sheila E. Hogan of Chicopee; his father, Joseph J. Nowak of St. Petersburg, FL; his sister, Nydia Gallagher and her husband Christopher of Chicopee; his beloved niece, Rachel Gallagher of Chicopee; his aunts and uncles: Patricia Hogan of Stoughton, MA, James and Mary Jane Hogan of Matthews, NC, Maryann Nowak and Butch Longino of St. Petersburg, FL, John and Betty Nowak of St. Petersburg, FL and his grandmother, Corinne Hogan of Matthews, NC. He also leaves several cousins, extended family members and numerous friends, including lifelong family friends Beth Guidette and husband Andrei of Hampden, Greg Smith and wife Kim of West Springfield and Jason Smith and wife Stephanie of GA. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Albert Hogan and Walter and Helen Nowak.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Indian Orchard. A funeral home service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Private burial will be held at Hillcrest Park Cemetery.

To honor Anthony’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101.