Novak was 'an institution' in DFL politics

Joseph Novak of Hastings, a DFL Party stalwart and former Minnesota liquor control commissioner, died on Nov. 28 in Hastings of a heart attack.

The former standout athlete, teacher and coach was 87.

Warren Spannaus, former Minnesota attorney general, recalled campaigning with Novak.

"He was always one of these guys willing to do the hard work," Spannaus said. "You know you could always get hold of him and he'd get the job done."

Spannaus recalled that it could be tough on one's spirits, traveling the campaign trail, but Novak "could always keep you upbeat."

Gary Pagel, a former Dakota County commissioner and Metropolitan Council member, remembered being awed as a neophyte DFLer, joining Hubert Humphrey at Novak's home for dinner years ago.

"Joe was an institution," Pagel said. "He was absolutely trustworthy, and if he said he was going to do something, he did it."

Novak was appointed to head the state's liquor commission in 1971, serving for nearly 20 years.

It could be a controversial post.

"The wholesalers had iron control over pricing, and there was no price advertising by state law," Pagel said. "He opened up the liquor business to fairer trade, among the wholesalers and retailers."

Novak, an Ely native, began college at the old Ely Junior College, completing a degree in political science at Macalester College.

At Macalester he was a star basketball player and football player. In 1942, he was the top-scoring forward for the Scots basketball team.

During World War II, he became a Navy officer, serving aboard a submarine chasing ship that supported the D-Day landings in France during World War II.

After getting a master's in physical education at the University of Minnesota in the late 1940s, he coached several sports at Shakopee and Hastings high schools, including varsity football.

He taught in several disciplines, but principally sociology, said his daughter, Maureen Novak of St. Paul.

"He was a really gruff man, but a really caring man," said his daughter, adding that needy families in the Hastings area could count on personal help from Novak, who also served on the Hastings City Council.

In addition to Maureen, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Delia of Hastings; daughter, Kate Novak of Boston; sons, Tom of Hastings, Dr. Kevin Novak of Erie, Pa., John of Hastings, and Patrick of Miami, Fla.; sister, Antoinette Hokkanen of Ely, Minn.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services have been held.