‘Selfless heroes’ who died trying to save children who fell through the ice receive award

Family members describe two Saskatoon men who died last year trying to save children from drowning as selfless heroes. Now, they are being awarded one of North America's highest civilian honours for heroism.

Kristen Novecosky lost her husband Chris Novecosky, 38, her nephew Joe Novecosky, 28, and her seven-year-old niece Ava on Nov. 4, 2023 at Humboldt Lake, located about 115 kilometres east of Saskatoon.

Ava and her younger sister were playing near the lake that afternoon when they fell through thin ice. Chris and Joe plunged into the icy water and retrieved the two girls, but drowned. Ava was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded to people from the United States and Canada who risk themselves to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Chris and Joe are among the 18 recipients this year.

'It's not just Chris that I'm grieving, it's my entire life': Kristen Novecosky

Both Kristen and Kate Novecosky, Joe's sister, wear lockets with the fingerprints of the deceased men.

Kristen also dons medallions that Chris was wearing at the time of the incident.

"He wore them every day, so now I wear them every day," she said. "Chris's main love language to me and others is acts of service.… This just shows that it was the ultimate act of service."

She said Chris was a spontaneous person. They had spent a year working, living and surfing in Australia.

"Life's too short, you don't know how long you have on earth, and that is what we would tell people. Chris unfortunately proved that point," Kristen said.

"I think one thing I want people to take away from this is don't assume that you're guaranteed a long life, because you're not."

WATCH | Sask. woman says husband's heroic death was 'the ultimate act of service':

Sask. woman says husband's heroic death was 'the ultimate act of service'

11 hours ago

Duration 2:59

Kristen Novecosky says her husband Chris, who is being awarded one of North America's highest civilian honours for heroism, was a selfless man. Chris died after falling through ice while trying to save two children.

Kristen said Chris was her life partner.

"It's not just Chris that I'm grieving. It's my entire life, my normal, the future we had planned," she said, tearing up. "The grief is beyond just losing him. It's a whole life that we had built together."

Kristen said Chris was passionate about learning. She said she once mentioned an interest in drumming, so Chris bought her a set for Christmas. Now she hopes to learn to play in his honour.

"Chris was a huge, huge music fan and I've gone on a few trips since the accident to concerts of some of his favourite bands, and that has helped to just keep his spirit alive."

Both the men had "big hearts" and were loved by all for their "caring, selfless, loving, non-judgmental, empathetic" personalities, Kristen said.

'Joe and I were so close': sister

Joe's sister Kate said Joe saw his uncle Chris as a role model and was inspired by him to become a tradesman.

"They always had that special bond of sharing the same career. They were like brothers."

This award is showing everyone the men's "brave and courageous" character, Kate said. She said the pair did not even think for a second before jumping in to save the girls.

"It's a huge honour for our family and just makes us that much more proud of them," Kate said. "It does not bring them back in any way and doesn't lessen the grief, but it honours them in a way that they deserve to be honoured."

Kate said both men were passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, and constantly worked on personal growth by learning new things and skills. Joe had a huge collection of self-help books.

"It's hard to pick just one thing to think that I miss about Joe, but we were always just so close. Losing someone you can always talk to and they're always there for you. It's very, very hard."

WATCH | Sister of late Sask. man receiving heroism medal calls it 'a huge honour for our family':

Sister of late Sask. man receiving heroism medal calls it 'a huge honour for our family'

11 hours ago

Duration 1:30

Kate Novecosky says her brother Joe, who died after falling through ice while trying to save two children, was always there for her. Joe and his uncle are receiving posthumous medals for their heroism.

She said one of her fondest memories of Joe was him taking on piano lessons as an adult. The two of them grew up learning piano, but fell off. Then a couple years ago, Joe picked it up again, bought himself a piano and hired a teacher.

"One of my most favourite late memories of Joe is watching him play at a piano recital. I have a picture of him, and I actually got it even tattooed on my leg, of him playing the piano at his recital," she said, noting it was funny to see Joe, a tall man, playing amidst little kids.

The family has started two scholarships in the men's names — Chris's at Lanigan High School and Joe's at Saint Joseph's High School in Saskatoon — for students looking to go into the trades.

"It doesn't make the grief any easier, but [the award] gives us a sense of closure that everyone will see how much of a hero they are and how selfless and courageous they are," she said.