Gene F. Nowalk

Gene F. Nowalk, 79, of Willet, NY, left this world on June 12, 2018.

Born in Cortland, NY, on August 31, 1938, Gene was the son of the late Stanley and Mary Carson Nowalk.  A lifelong resident of the area, he was a 1958 graduate of Marathon Central School.  He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 until his honorable discharge in 1962 where he obtained the rank of corporal.  Gene was a Marine, farmer, and Suit-Kote Man, but most of all a family man.  He loved his beer as much as his family.  Gene was so proud of his children, but more so of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He always did things his way and lived his life as he saw fit.  It was his way or no way – he died on his own terms – Semper Fi.  Ma says, “behave until we meet again – kiss my girls and babies.”

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sandra Nowalk; and a son, Zachary Nowalk.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Shaye (William), Nicholas (Elizabeth), Hilarie (Jonathan), and Cheyenne; his great-grandchildren, Audrey, Landon, Angelina, Sydney, Madison, and Everett; a brother, Phillip Nowalk; sisters, Helen (Robert) Hill, Karen Haven, and Margaret (Douglas) Tracy; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his daughters, Meggan Nowalk on October 4, 2006 and Margaret Nowalk on January 29, 2012; his infant great-grandchildren, Andrew and Rachel; brothers, Stanley, Jr., Carl, Leonard, Charles, Gus, John, and Robert; and sisters, Evelyn and Sylvia.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at the Marathon Fire Department Morton Building, Marathon, NY, on Saturday, June 16, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Gene may be directed to MAVAC, 2 Peck Ave., Marathon, NY 13803.