We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer John Edward “Jack” Novak, CD (Ret’d) in Chilliwack on 02 November at the age of 81 years. Jack was a Combat Engineer with both Airborne and Combat Diver specialties.
Jack enlisted in London ON. After completing his Basic Field Engineer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, he remained in Chilliwack with a posting to 3 Field Squadron. After this tour, Jack was posted to 1 Field Squadron in Petawawa ON in 1960, but it was a short tour as he was soon in Germany with 4 Field Squadron ( 1961 – 64). Jack returned home to Canada to 1 Field Squadron and became a qualified parachutist and on jump strength.
Jack was one of the large group of sapper Jumpers that were posted to Edmonton in 1968 upon the formation of 1 Airborne Field Squadron in Edmonton AB. After this tour, he returned to 1 Field Squadron (1970-73) before being posted back to the Canadian Airborne Regiment (1973-75). Jack’s last posting was as an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering from which he retired. He subsequently returned to uniform in the Reserves on Class B Service with CFB Chilliwack Base Ops (1986 - 91) after which he retired for the second time. Jack retired in the Chilliwack area
A Poppy Service will be held for Jack on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 1300 hrs at the Chilliwack Legion.