Hoon J. Nowack, 58

LACONIA — Hoon J. Nowack, 58, of Laconia, passed away on Sept. 5, 2024, at the Jaffrey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Hoon was born on Dec. 20, 1966 in Seoul, South Korea, and came to Meredith, at age 4 to join the George and Eva Nowack family, who adopted him and loved him as their own son and brother. He became a United States citizen and later devoted his life’s strength and devotion to military service — serving with honor and distinction. The Nowack family moved to Sanbornton, and Hoon eventually graduated from Winnisquam Regional High School where his natural athleticism greatly contributed to the track & field program. Upon graduation in 1986, Hoon joined the United States Marine Corps and began his military career. In 1998, Hoon married Lilly Beth Aquino, with whom he shared three children.

Hoon proudly served his country for almost 28 years, about half on active duty as a Marine and half in the Reserve Components with multiple deployments in the National Guard. His career spanned deployments as a Marine in Desert Storm and as a Guardsman in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as Sgt. 1st Class Hoon Nowack, having earned the following awards, among others, in his illustrious career: Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal-Army, Good Conduct Medal-Marine Corps, Navy Unit Commendation, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, South West Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization, National Defense Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO (ISAF) Medal, New Hampshire National Guard Service Ribbon (three awards).

Hoon will always be remembered as a kind, generous, and loyal friend. He was an avid sports fan for all teams Boston. He also loved to cook and found great joy in sharing his culinary creations with those near and dear to him.

Hoon is survived by his beloved children, K.C. Nowack, Annabelle (Nowack) Sargent, and Ethan Nowack; granddaughter, Charlotte; loving parents George and Eva Nowack; siblings Michelle (Nowack) Zufall, George T. Nowack, and Melissa (Nowack) Brooks; as well as aunts and uncles and many nieces and nephews. He will live forever beloved in their hearts.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.