RIP, Tony Nowak

[jnicktem]

Tony Nowak, maker of the Crystal Skull jackets, passed away on April 6th from an apparent heart attack while on vacation in Italy.

RIP Tony- you will be missed!

[Pennsylvania Jones]

That's sad. When I started getting interested in Indy Gear, the news was that Noel Howard had died. His gear was never on my wish list simply because, apart from the price, he was no longer alive to make them. So now, they're even more expensive.

[junior]

RIP Tony!

Time to retire my TN Indy 4 jacket. It's now irreplacable as is the man.

[jnicktem]

I was actually just talking with Tony only a few days ago about making my dream jacket (A Raiders in 747 leather). We were about to put the finishing touches on the details. It was a complete shock to hear of his passing as he was in such high spirits only a few days ago... it makes it that much harder to realize that he is gone.

[Biker Jacket Jones]

Complete shocker to me. I didn't know anything about this until today. My best wishes, respects, and prayers to his family.

Now, I imagine $1,000 for one of his Indiana Jones jackets doesn't sound so excessive anymore, considering that they're now very special items.

[bendingoak]

They where very special before he died.

[bendingoak]

Last December my family ( wife, 10 year old son, sister and her 17 year old son and I) all came together to go on a holiday cruise to mexico. On the trip down to southern California we stopped in to visit with Tony to get sizes up for a CS jacket.

Here's a shot with Tony and I in his shop during this visit. I have this same shot hanging in my hat shop.



My kid was eyeballing a jacket that Tony had laying around his shop. It was a Ugly Doll letterman jacket. He said to Terry " come here you have to try it on." John, Take a photo for him." My kid is crazy over these things. The ugly Doll jacket was for the creator and his crew who make the dolls and toys (A private order).


Here's the photo


He was so giving of himself and his time. He played and joked with the two boys. He gave both of them jackets. He gave Malcolm ( my sisters kid) a Arnolds classic 2009 jacket just to get him to smile. He asked me why don't kids smile any more. Ok he used some of my favorite 4 letter words but I thought I would clean it up some. He gave my son Terry a Joe Weider jacket. When he was searching for a jacket Terry's size he whispered to me " don't worry I won't let Terry feel left out, I got a jacket for him."

Here they are with their jackets.



Then we got down to getting all my information for my jacket. Had me try on a couple, I tried on one very special jacket. Got all the details worked out and he took a few photo's with us. Now since I got back from my trip I had received many phone calls and I would say only 2 of them where about my order. the jacket was great when I got it and you can read the thread about it in it's own thread.

The story of how giving Tony doesn't end here. My kids birthday is on March 5th. I thought what a great gift it would be if I bought terry a Ugly Doll letter mans jacket from Tony. I called him up and asked what the price was. He said " John I can't do this." " I can't sell these jackets.'' Then it dawned on me what he was saying. It's a private order and he doesn't have the rights to the jacket. He then says " I will make it for him" " It will be my gift to him." I said I couldn't take it and it was to much. He then said " I have to do this, it's his birthday.'' he then asked when his birthday was as to make sure he had it in my hands in time for the big day. He made me promise not to tell anyone about this and I am a man of my word. I wouldn't want Tony to get into trouble over a kids jacket but since the recent news I thought maybe Tony wouldn't mind.

Here's terry in his jacket that he so wanted and Tony mad this little guy very happy. terry made him a really nice Ugly Doll card with this photo in it (Terry's idea).




I don't know him like his personal friends he had close to him but he sure had a way of making you feel like he knew you for years after just meeting him, thats just Tony. What a wonderful man and a kind giving person. You will be missed.

Now I have to go tell Terry when he gets home. Not something I look forward to do.

[Ragingblues]

I never had any dealings with the man, but I'm sorry to hear about his passing like this.


Ken

[New Yorker Jones]

Thanks for sharing your story John; wish I met him and ordered one of his jackets. He was a great man and will be missed, RIP Tony.

[zmarty]

bummer... RIP Tony. your jackets will live forever..

[Noah]

I am very saddened by this news. We will all miss him

[Mr. Fusion]

This is really sad. I wish I had gotten a chance to get one of his (more or less) priceless jackets. He will be missed.

-Josh

[California Jones]

R.I.P Tony his memory will live on through his work and his contribution to the Indiana Jones saga

[dunross76]

I was devastated to learn about his death. The last time I saw Tony was March 18. He was a great friend to have. I will miss his zest for life and a great sense of humor.
Tony is irreplaceable. Hope his legacy will live on.
Rest in peace, Tony!

[Deleted]

I just came online and went to Club Obi Wan and was shocked and devastated about the passing of Tony.

I am also upset because both Tony and Anthony De Longis were both at the Queen Mary summit last year and I planned to go this year, and now I will never get to meet him.

It's very upsetting as there are a few people now that I had planned to meet, which have, very sadly passed, and I guess this is why I always try to grab opportunities when they come.

John, that was a lovely jacket story.

[Kaplan]

that's terrible. He was very nice to deal with, and was one of those guys who likes to get the details right because you could tell he had a lot of pride in his work. Not every gear vendor is like that, so you couldn't help but like the guy.

[parttime]

I have never personaly given as much thought to the SA of the many different Indy jackets as I have the hats and the whips. However I do have great appreciation for fine quality and respect anyone who makes it their mission to produce it. I did not know much about Tony other than he made the Indy 4 jacket and that alone will forever stand as a memorial to his life. He was one of a very small few that had an oppertunity to be a part of something amazing that has been and will be remembered for generations.
It only makes me more appreciative of my David Morgan whip that I refuse to crack.

Hats off to Tony Nowak

-Dusty

[tomek9210]

I haven't got any of his jackets, but from what I see on this board and COW, they are just suberb.
Great Pole will be missed, rest in peace Tony...

PS

Anybody knows how long will COW be closed?

[New Yorker Jones]

Apr 11, 2010 12:13:31 GMT -5 tomek9210 said:

I haven't got any of his jackets, but from what I see on this board and COW, they are just suberb.
Great Pole will be missed, rest in peace Tony...

PS

Anybody knows how long will COW be closed?

No, only the COW mods will know that. And since this is the Indy Lounge, I doubt you'd find out.

[Deleted]

Just spoke to Chewbacca Jones and I think he said that the board will be closed all weekend in honour of Tony.

[digger4glory]

I was looking forward to meeting Tony and I am shocked at this news. My prayers are with his family. Does anyone know how old he was?

[Havana]

I'm sorry to hear this news. I know he was highly thought of by those who knew him.

[Ragingblues]

I know he was highly thought of by those who knew him.

Good to hear. That's probably the way most of us would like to be remembered, to be honest.


Ken