Gregory E. Nowak

Gregory E. “Gregg” Nowak passed away, leaving behind a life marked by hard work, loyalty, and an unwavering devotion to his family. Gregg was the beloved husband of the late Betty Nowak. Over 53 years of marriage, they built a life rooted in commitment, resilience, and a shared dedication to their family. Rough around the edges but steady at his core, Gregg believed in showing up, putting in the work, and standing by those he loved. He was a proud father to his sons: Richard, Russell (Carrie) and Ronald (Carrie). He was a devoted grandfather to Corinne, Ricky, Caitlynn, Ella, and Reid, who loved him deeply and brought him great pride. Born on May 22, 1948, to Alice and Ed Nowak, Gregg was raised with strong values that stayed with him throughout his life. He was the oldest sibling of Edward Nowak (Cindy), Teresa Klimek-Downs, and the late Marian Pietruszka. He was also a dear brother-in-law to JoAnn Mazurek (the late Bob) and was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Fred Czajkoski (Verna) and Tom Czajkoski. Gregg was a proud uncle to many nieces and nephews. A gifted story teller, Gregg worked hard at many jobs, always willing to do what needed to be done. Beyond his work, he had a lifelong passion for polka music, playing in bands since his teenage years. Known for his concertina playing, Gregg made his mark in the Polka community and brought joy to many through his music. In his own quiet way, Gregg also showed his appreciation for others through simple but meaningful gestures. He was known for giving coins to those he cared about. A small token that carried a lot of meaning and reflected the love & generosity he didn’t always put into words. Gregg will be remembered as a man who was always real, someone who loved deeply in his own way and never wavered in his loyalty. Visitation is Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 4 PM to 8 PM at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave.(55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation on Monday from 8:30 AM until time of Celebration of Life Service at 10 AM. We will go in procession from the funeral home to Resurrection Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum where Gregory will be entombed beside his wife.

Tributes

Gregory E. Nowak

May 22, 1948 - April 8, 2026