Thomas Novak, St. James resident who spent career at Sheehan & Company accounting, dies at 69

Around the Long Island accounting company office where he spent his career, Thomas Novak was known to say, "We always land on our feet," according to colleagues.

"It just reflected the optimism and confidence he brought to every situation," Cynthia Barry, of Sayville, said of Novak.

The St. James resident died unexpectedly on July 8 at the age of 69.

Thomas Novak was born on Aug. 18, 1957, in Jamaica, Queens, and grew up in Brentwood. With dreams of becoming a CPA and company owner, Novak graduated from Hofstra University in 1979 and accepted a job at Sheehan & Company, an accounting firm with offices in Brightwaters and Great Neck. Novak spent his career at Sheehan, becoming partner in 1988. He served as a managing partner from 2016 until his retirement in 2022, though he stayed on at the company as a consultant.

For longtime colleague Barry, Novak was a "second father and mentor."

"I first met Tom in 1990 when I interviewed with Sheehan and Company for my first accounting position after graduating from college. Little did I know that the person interviewing me would become such an important influence throughout my career and my life," said Barry, who worked alongside Novak for more than 35 years. "Tom was the kind of mentor who believed in people, encouraged them to take on challenges, and always seemed to find a way forward when others saw obstacles."

Novak generously served the accounting profession and community, and advised people about their financial decisions, colleagues said.

He met his wife, Victoria, through her friend, who worked at a grocery store at the same time he did. A post-work pizza date at a neighborhood bar led to an engagement two years later. The couple married on April 20, 1980, and raised twins Traci and TJ. The family moved to St. James in 1990.

Novak enjoyed playing golf, guitar, building model trains and traveling with his family. According to his wife, Novak loved his family and was "proud of his kids and grandkids."

"As a father to TJ and Traci, he was very loving but expected the twins to always do their best no matter what," she said. "As a grandfather, he wanted his grandchildren to always have everything that they wanted."

Novak’s wife described her husband as a "kind, self-assured and giving man who would help anyone in need," which was evident in his passion for volunteering. He donated time to the St. James Athletic League, the Smithtown Junior Golf program and the Oblate Sisters, and was a member of the Suffolk Chapter of NYS Society Chapter of CPAs and the audit committee for the Smithtown school district.

"Tom was a very kind and thoughtful person. He was always so giving of his time," longtime friend Steve Rivera, of Calverton, said. "We loved going to Mets games together. He will be greatly missed."

In addition to his wife, Novak is survived by his two children. A funeral Mass was celebrated on July 13 at Saints Philip & James Catholic Parish in St. James followed by interment at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.