Benedict A. Nowik entered into eternal rest on February 11, 2016. He died peacefully at The Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, Hoosick Falls, in the comfort and love of his wife Pollie, Children & Grandchildren.
Born at home in Hoosick Falls on May 30, 1926, he was the son of the late Anthony and Walta Bankauskas Nowik. He was the husband of Ruth Joyce (Pollie McGarvin) Nowik, his high school sweetheart. They were married on October 8, 1949.
A graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, he was a communicant of The Church of the Immaculate Conception where he served as an Adult Server, Lector and Volunteer Administrator of the high school CCD Program.
A retreatant and promoter for the Jesuit Retreat League for 13 years, he was named a Grand Knight of the Order of St. Ignatius by the late Bishop William A. Scully and Fr. John Carroll, SJ.
Surviving with his wife are his children Susan A. Walters of Old Bridge, NJ and James A. Nowik of Hoosick Falls, NY. His grandchildren, Kailen Nowik of Cincinnati, OH, Sean Walters (Monica) of Freehold, NJ, Jason Walters (Dominique) of Monroe, NJ, Jared Walters of NYC and Dylan Nowik of Brooklyn, NY. Great Grandchildren, Aidan and Chloe Walters, Arianna, Justin and Lilia Walters.
Ben was predeceased by his parents, a sister Edna A. Nowik and brothers Edward A. Nowik, Lieutenant US Army and Walter A. Nowik.
Ben served in Public Safety for more than three decades as Deputy Director of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization and as Rensselaer County Undersheriff. He completed the CD Directors Staff College at the US Military Academy, West Point and attended the National Sheriff’s Institute in Washington, DC. He was also a graduate of the NSI Class at the FBI Academy, Quantico, VA.
Entering in the New York Guard at the age of 16, he served with the US Army and the Army National Guard. During WWII he served with the 330th Infantry Regiment in the Battle of the Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge and the Central Europe/Rhineland Campaigns. Among his decorations were the Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Citation, Bronze Star, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Medal, European Theatre Medal (with 3 Bronze Stars), Army of Occupation Medal and The Conspicuous Service Cross. Attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, he was commissioned as a Warrant Officer.
He was a Life Member of the VFW, Post 1332 and a life member of the BPO Elks, Lodge 567 of Bennington, VT. He served as past President of the Town of Hoosick Little League and was longtime member of the Hoosick Falls Health Center Board of Directors.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 15, 2016, 11am at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls, where the family will meet with friends and relatives starting at 10am.
Contributions in his honor can be made to The Hoosick Falls Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (and/or) The Community Hospice of Rensselaer through the Funeral Home.
Arrangements are by The Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York.