Christopher Novecosky

Christopher 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’ uncle, Novecosky, 38, plumber, and their cousin had been installing a boiler. Novecosky and the cousin 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. Novecosky grasped Evelyn and tried unsuccessfully to lift her out of the water and onto the ice as the girls’ cousin tried to lift Ava out but could not. Within two minutes, the men were exhausted from the effort and the cold. Novecosky let go of Evelyn and submerged. The cousin handed Ava to her mother and 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 cousin the next day. They had drowned.

Obituary

Chris Novecosky of Saskatoon, SK (originally of Burr, SK) died during an act of heroism on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the age of 38. Chris was born to George and Theresa Novecosky in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He was the ninth of nine children and was greatly loved by all of them. He excelled in the trades becoming a journeyman plumber and electrician. He met his wife while in high school, years later he met her again, fell in love, and married her in 2019.

Chris will be forever remembered for his loving heart. He was one of the most kind, generous, and gentle souls; following the footsteps of his father. He was intelligent, thoughtful, creative and humorous. He held such a great love for his family, enough to risk and give his life for them.

Chris had an adventurous spirit and traveled greatly with his wife. He journeyed across Canada, the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Africa, Japan, and many other destinations. He and his wife even fulfilled their dream of living abroad in Australia for a year.

Chris loved art and music. He and Kristen attended many concerts and would introduce others to music they had never heard. Their first unofficial date was at the concert of one of their favourite bands, Bahamas.

Chris is survived by his wife of over 4 years, Kristen Bilawchuk; his mother, Theresa; his in-laws Bob and Cheryl Bilawchuk, Tracy (Brandon) and siblings Sandra (Madonna House), Patrick (Michele), Andrew (Louise), Frederick (Heather), Terence (Rita), Timothy (Cheryl), Sarah (Robert), and Karen (Kevin); his numerous nieces and nephews Jonathan, Jenna, Stephen, Peter, Daniel, Katherine, Dominic, Samuel, Evelyn, James, George, Francis, Benjamin, Aidan, Anna, David, and Georgia. He is predeceased by his father, George; nephews, Joseph, Tarcisius and Matthew; and nieces, Ava and Christina.