Allen Novreske — who’s better known around Chesterton as Al the Crossing Guard — has been overwhelmed these days by all the attention he’s been shown.
“All the support I have gotten, I almost broke down crying a few times,” Novreske said.
Novreske, 68, nearly died on his living room couch the afternoon of Jan. 15. He had completed his daily duties as a crossing guard and found himself struggling to breathe. He dialed 911.
The doctors diagnosed him with a triple dose of trouble: pneumonia, congestive lung failure and a heart attack. He had to undergo triple heart bypass surgery.
That sidelined Novreske from his daily crossing guard duties for Bailly Elementary School and Westchester Intermediate School, which are both down the road from him on South Fifth Street.
The Chesterton community activated, inundating Novreske’s home with cards, an endless meal train and well wishes. Many of the homemade cards are hung in Novreske’s living room.
“You don’t know that you’re really well-liked till stuff happens,” Novreske said.
When reflecting on his life, Novreske will tell you that it’s hard to believe he’s at this juncture.
After his graduation from Chesterton High School in 1974, Novreske enlisted in the U.S. Army where he spent 20 years.
Given his jovial nature, people today might find it hard to believe that Novreske was once a hard-nosed drill sergeant.
“I was pretty mean. I am a long way from that now,” Novreske said.
After retiring from the Army, Novreske returned to the Chesterton area and took a job with Urschel Laboratories where he worked as a machinist for 19 years. His wife, Carla, is a math teacher at Liberty Middle School.
Novreske was newly retired and 60 years old when he learned about the need for a crossing guard for the Bailly Elementary School at South Fifth Street and Union Court. He took on additional duties two years ago as crossing guard for Westchester Intermediate School.
Over the years, the local legend of Al the Crossing Guard grew.
“I didn’t know how much it meant. A little smile in the morning means a lot, I guess,” Novreske said.
Novreske said he enjoys interacting with the children and parents.
“The kids kind of make my day. The parents are awesome, too,” Novreske said,
There was a distinctive, signature style that Novreske developed over the years.
It started when Novreske would wave at the bus drivers. Soon, he was waving to practically everyone.
Then there was a tradition of the hats. Novreske would wear a silly hat every Friday. He now has more than 50 hats in his collection.
One of the children presented him with a camel hat that Novreske would wear on Wednesdays in honor of “hump day.”
On the last day for Bailly Elementary School, Novreske would load up his golf cart with ice cream as he, the children and adults would celebrate together.
The hope is that Novreske might be able to do his traditional last day celebration this year. Novreske said his recovery is proceeding well and the goal is to return when students resume school on March 31 after spring break.
“He’s kind of a local celebrity. Everybody knows who Al is,” said Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson.l
Richardson said it might seem like the crossing guard job is “small on face value,” but Novreske’s performance of it is “huge” for the community. He said he’s not surprised by the outpouring of support for Novreske.
“It’s payback for all he’s done for the town,” Richardson said.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
