Joseph Novecosky

Joseph Novecosky died attempting to help rescue Ava Novecosky and Evelyn Novecosky from drowning, Humboldt, Saskatchewan, November 4, 2023. Ava, 7, and her sister, Evelyn, 6, fell through thin ice on Humboldt Lake near their home into 35-degree water about 15 feet deep at a point about 300 feet from shore. Their brother on shore alerted adults in their house, where the girls’ cousin, Novecosky, 28, plumber, and their uncle had been installing a boiler. Novecosky and the uncle ran out onto the ice along with the girls’ mother, who said she could hear the ice cracking under their feet. As they approached the girls, the ice gave way and both men plunged into the icy water. The men tried unsuccessfully to push Ava, who was unresponsive, onto the ice. The mother then fell through the ice. The uncle grasped Evelyn and tried unsuccessfully to lift her out of the water and onto the ice as Novecosky tried to lift Ava out but could not. Within two minutes, the men were exhausted from the effort and the cold. Novecosky handed Ava to her mother and submerged. The uncle let go of Evelyn and also submerged. The girls’ father then pushed a kayak filled with life jackets across the ice and into the water, where the mother grasped it while also holding Ava. Evelyn took a life jacket and floated away until firefighters using ropes and ice-rescue suits rescued her and her mother and retrieved Ava, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Evelyn and her mother suffered from hypothermia but recovered. A dive team found the bodies of Novecosky and the uncle the next day. They had drowned.

Obituary

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that the family of Joseph Andrew Novecosky age 28, of Saskatoon, SK announce his tragic passing on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Joe heroically died while rescuing others who had fallen through the ice at Humboldt Lake.

Joseph had an incredible mind, and a heart full of kindness, with a spirit that touched the souls of all who crossed his path. This, along with his perseverance and determination, allowed him to be successful at whatever he put his energy into. He worked hard in his personal and professional life. He was educated in the trades, excelling as a journeyman plumber, pipefitter and recently refrigeration. Joe was always learning new skills, and working on many ventures, such as real estate investments, his business Happy Hour Entertainment as a DJ, taking classical piano lessons, health and fitness (including training for his first MMA match) and constantly organizing new adventures.

Joe had many interests. He was an athlete, an artist, a musician, a lover of sports and the arts, architecture, and he had extraordinary style! However, it was his relationships with his family and friends, and the way he treated others, that showed his true character. He was a fun-loving, kind, thoughtful, creative, courageous, generous, loyal, and loving man. He cared deeply for others and was always willing to help. He was beautiful inside and out.

Joseph will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Andrew and Louise Novecosky, sister Kate, and brother Dominic. Also mourning his loss are his grandparents Theresa Novecosky of Humboldt, and Daniel LaBelle of Regina; Novecosky aunts and uncles, Sandra (Madonna House), Patrick (Michele), Frederick (Heather), Terence (Rita), Timothy (Cheryl), Sarah (Robert Possberg), Karen (Kevin Stadnyk), Kristen Bilawchuk and the LaBelle aunts and uncles; Suzanne (Doug Schneider), Paul (Tanya), Stephanie (Shane Ottenbreit), Tim (Krista) and Sarah Grismer, along with numerous cousins (Jonathan, Jenna, Stephen, Peter, Daniel, Samuel, Evelyn, James, George, Francis, Ben, Aidan, Anna, David, Georgia, Steven, Anna, Jared, Isaac, Xavier, Viviana, John, Philip, Peter, Lucia, Gemma, Aimée, William, Liam, Jade, Pandora and Zeke) and many more relatives and friends, who were all a very important part of his life. Joseph was predeceased by his sister Christina, brother Tarcisius; uncle Chris Novecosky; cousins Ava and Matthew; and grandparents George Novecosky and Judy LaBelle.