A tribute for Manville’s music man.
By: Mary Ellen Zangara
A tribute to Manville’s own king of Polish music, Nick Novicky, brought more than 350 residents to the Manville Public Library on Tuesday night for a memorial concert in his honor.
Mr. Novicky, a lifelong resident best known for his music, died Feb. 8 after a two-year battle with mesothelioma. Mr. Novicky had regularly performed at the library’s concerts both in the summer and for the Christmas holidays.
The weather was perfect for the outdoor concert, which lasted almost two hours longer than usual. The Happy Times Band with Jimmy D entertained the crowd as they sat in lawn chairs around the parking lot and on the grass.
Mr. Novicky’s wife, Dolores, of Valerie Drive, and daughters Denise Novicky Morio, of Bridgewater; Janice Novicky Lalley, of California; and Regina Novicky, of Roselle, all attended this special tribute to their husband and father.
Joyce Novicky Martinez, Mr. Novicky’s niece now living in California with her husband, Santiago, also attended, as did his grandchildren, Colleen Morio with her fiancé, Dave Lau; Nicholas Morio and his girlfriend, Jennifer Balzano .
Mr. Novicky’s sisters Helen Marsh and Mary Miron came, too, along with many other family members and friends.
Library Director Ed Smith began by welcoming everyone, and noting Mr. Novicky’s contributions to the library’s musical offerings.
"He would always play one more polka for the evening, but it was true that he played it for all of us," he said. "Manville Public Library is proud to dedicate this August concert to his memory."
Some of Mr. Novicky’s friends attended the concert to pay tribute to him, including Pat Suk, an old friend who held a handmade sign that read "Nick gone but not forgotten."
"He used to come to my house and we would have a jam with my father because my father was a musician at Old Camplain," she said. "This is really great for Nick, I am so proud of Manville to do something for him. It’s a shame Nick is gone, he would have loved this."
People were dancing to the polkas performed by Jimmy D and the Happy Times Band, singing along on some of the songs.
And throughout the concert, people came over to see and chat with Mrs. Novicky.
Young Brittany O’Rourke looked over at Nick’s daughters who were sitting on the curb in the parking lot and asked if they were Nick’s daughters. When they replied yes, Brittany said, "I wish I was you. You are so lucky you are Nick Novicky’s daughters."
Halfway through the concert, Jimmy D and the band took a break and Bill Poch, a trustee of the library, presented a plaque to Mrs. Novicky and his daughters in honor of Nick.
"This is a special occasion as we are celebrating the life of ‘Mr. Music,’ Nick Novicky," Mr. Novicky said. "He was the leader of the Verstyles Orchestra for years, which also featured his three daughters (as) the Verstylettes.
"I had the privilege as many of our residents here to know Nick for many, many years," Mr. Poch continued. "When I stood up to Nick, I felt like shorty. He was a tall man and he was tall in many ways. So tonight we the library board wishes to honor him."
The proclamation in part read "Nick Novicky shared his music with the residents of Manville and throughout the state performing with his band his summer concerts in Middlesex and Somerset counties. God has summoned him to eternal rest but in his lifetime he was a beloved gentlemen, friend, grandfather, father and husband. We now pause to celebrate and pay tribute to Nick Novicky. This concert performed on Aug. 14, 2007 is a tribute Nick Novicky. The library trustees would like to thank his family for sharing his musical talents with the residents and friends of the Borough of Manville that he loved."
Mrs. Novicky spoke a few words, holding back tears as she spoke to the crowd.
"I would like to thank the library and the Borough of Manville for the beautiful tribute and all the people of Manville who came to show tribute," she said.
After the presentation, members of Nick’s band performed with his daughters and niece.
"My dad has probably been playing here for a quarter of a century, some of the library concerts and the Christmas music," Ms. Lalley said before singing. "We are so thrilled that we could be here to try to continue some of his music with you."
She then said they were going to perform five of Nick’s favorite’s songs, his original compositions. The first was "North, South, East, West," which they sang at every concert, followed by "Honey Bee."
The band also performed Mr. Novicky’s "The Polish Spirit," written to commemorate his Polish heritage. As history would change, Mr. Novicky would update it the song now has five verses.
The next one was "Asbestos City," which Mr. Novicky wrote in 1965, based on a sign that was at the Manville border proclaiming "Welcome to Asbestos City." Ms. Lalley said he wrote it because he loved the town and all the people.
The last song they did was "Jolly Mr. Music Man."
"Anyone who knew my dad was touched by his warmth," she said. "And he would share his music with anyone and his sense of humor. So we would never forget my dad and the wonderful musician he was. That’s how he will always be remembered."

