Manny Nosowsky, known for crafting crossword puzzles filled with wit and clever wordplay for The New York Times, passed away on Wednesday in San Francisco. He was 94 years old. His wife, Debby Nosowsky, confirmed his passing at a local hospital.
A Career Shift
Nosowsky spent roughly 20 years practicing as a urologist until he encountered health issues. He retired in 1983 at the age of 51. With retirement came a new challenge: finding a purpose after leaving his medical career. He found himself with abundant free time, a situation familiar to many retirees.
Joining his wife in solving crossword puzzles, he grew intrigued by their construction. How were these puzzles created? Driven by curiosity, he began to experiment with puzzle-making, an initiative termed constructing in the puzzle world.
A New Passion
Nosowsky submitted several puzzles to the Crossworder’s OWN Newsletter before his initial publication in The New York Times in 1992. Eugene T. Maleska, then the crossword editor, accepted his work. This marked the beginning of a long relationship with the paper.
Initially, Nosowsky preferred to work alone, crafting puzzles manually on graph paper. Later, he adapted to technology, using constructing software while maintaining a personal touch in filling out the grids and writing clues himself. His puzzles aimed to encapsulate humor and wit that he felt digital tools could not replicate.
Nosowsky’s contributions left a lasting impact on both the crossword community and those who enjoyed solving his puzzles. His work showcased a remarkable blend of creativity and humor, traits he valued throughout his career.
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