Philip John Novisky

Philip John Novisky, beloved father and grandfather, died Saturday, January 29 in Apple Valley, Minnesota. He was 80 years old.

Phil was born to parents Rose and John Novisky in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. His earliest memories included fishing with his father and camping with the Cub Scouts. As a teenager, Phil discovered his love of rock and roll and told the story of how he enjoyed playing Little Richard albums at high volume in his room at home. Phil enjoyed dancing as well and was voted “Best Dancer” in high school, with one classmate referring to him as “Mr. Rhythm”. It was during this time that Phil met his great love, Peggy MacKay, who later became his wife. Phil graduated from Athol High School in Athol, Massachusetts in 1959.

Phil continued his studies at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Speech in 1963. He continued to express his talent and love for music and performing by forming a folk group called “The Kapos” with two friends at Boston College. This group eventually evolved into “The Ramblers Three,” who recorded an album with MGM in the mid-1960’s, on which he sang and played the guitar and banjo.

As The Ramblers Three gained recognition, the Vietnam War was also becoming a reality, and Phil decided to leave the path toward stardom in order to enlist in the United States Air Force. He served for three years as a Captain in the Air Force, navigating B-52 bombers during the Vietnam War.

After serving in the military, Phil turned his sights toward raising a family and building a career in financial planning. This career eventually brought him from the East Coast to the Midwest, where he lived and worked in Minnesota for the rest of his life. Phil created his own financial planning company, Associated Financial Resources, and always enjoyed creating meaningful, trusting relationships with clients. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, cooking, and performing songs on his guitar for family and friends.

Despite the stress and complications of life, especially in his later years, Phil maintained a positive attitude, often encouraging his daughter to “make the best of a bad situation.” Phil leaves a legacy of gratitude, warm greetings, a great sense of humor, a wide breadth of knowledge about many different things, a steel-trap memory for song lyrics, love and talent for music, and many more things his family will treasure as they grieve the loss of a great man.

Phil is survived by his wife, Peggy Novisky, children, Bob Novisky and Cathy (Tomás) Alpizar, and grandchildren, Natalie Novisky, Megan Novisky, and Elena Alpizar.

memorial service

Memorial Service

February 12, 2022

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 2730 E 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services