Herbert J. McKittrick Jr.
Herbert John McKittrick Jr. died peacefully on June 26, 2019, after declining health following a stroke on Feb. 1, 2019. He was born June 11, 1926, in Darby, Pa., to Herbert John McKittrick Sr. and Isabelle Peoples McKittrick, who had immigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s.
He was a graduate of Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby, Pa., in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy in July, 1944, attended flight school in Bloomsburgh, Pa., and became part of the Naval Air Corps., training at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC, then serving on the USS Bennington during World War II. After the war, he returned to Philadelphia and later moved to Maryland. Over the years he worked as a salesman for Central Soya Feed and Koester Bakery and was a distributor for the Washington Post for 30 years.
After he retired in 1996, he moved to Sun City Center, where he joined the SCC Emergency Squad, became an EMT and served as chief from 2000-2001. He also worked part time at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and was an EMT at Freedom Plaza.
He enjoyed playing softball and golf. He loved to learn, especially about history, and participate in philosophical discussions. He enjoyed music and dancing and was president of the Big Band Club. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Drake; former wife, Flavia S. Robertson; daughters: Ruth Ann Henry (William) of Oxford, Pa., Jan DiSantostefano (Anthony) of Apex, NC, and Jill M. Jones of Alexandria, Va.; son, Herbert J. McKittrick III (Sandy) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; step-daughters: Becky Bax (Bob) and Victoria Wagner; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren; and brother, William David, of California. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, AJ Jones; son-in-law, William Jones; and siblings: Alexander Joseph, Mary Isabelle and Steven Lenox. He was the oldest member of his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sun City Center Rescue Squad at sccems.com/support-us. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 13, at 1 p.m.
Marie Novak
Marie Novak, R.N., 76, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2019, at home. Before moving to Sun City, Florida, Marie lived in Tampa, Florida for more than 20 years. Marie was born in Plzen, Czech Republic, December 13, 1942. Her parents were Josef Chroust and Marie Chroust. She had one sister, Ivana, who passed away in 2007.
She and her son George left the Czech Republic in 1968, and immigrated to Canada. There she married Jan (John) Novak. They eventually moved to Miami, Florida, and then Merritt Island, eventually settling in Tampa. He passed away in 1991
Marie was a registered nurse and worked for almost 30 years at the former University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She was an avid quilter and gardener. She loved animals and was a frequent pet sitter for people in the community.
Marie is survived by her sons: Milan, John and George, and her daughter Eve. She had six grandchildren: Robert, Kim, Jeffrey, William, Mat, and Michelle. Her great-grandchildren are Noah, Jayden, Natasha, Brigham, Tessa, Lauren, Summer and Mila. Marie had many friends who loved her.
Her wishes are to be cremated and returned to the Czech Republic. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Humane Society or consider adopting a loving pet.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 16, at 10 a.m. at Homewood at Freedom Plaza, 3910 Galen Court Sun City Center.
