John Harry Newman's Obituary
John Harry Newman, 76, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, went home to the Lord on May 8, 2023. He was born on January 27, 1947 in Miami, Florida to Wilfrid F. Newman, Sr. and Lucille C. Tuttle.
After graduating from Lynbrook high school in 1965, John joined the United States Army. After serving in the U.S. Army, John attended Nassau Community College and graduated in 1974 with an Associates in Nursing. In 2001, John earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from California Coast University.
John worked as a Registered Nurse until entering the Pharmaceutical Sales field. While living in Pennsylvania, he served as a volunteer with the Milford Fire Department and was a Master Mason with the Milford Lodge. After moving to Virginia, he volunteered as a CASA and at Spotsylvania Regional Hospital. John also served as an Elder in a local Presbyterian Church and as a Sunday School Teacher in a local Baptist Church. In 2011, John retired and spent his time caring for his family, his beloved dogs and cats, his many flower gardens and his koi pond.
In 1976, John met Nancy at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, New York. John and Nancy shared 45 wonderful years of marriage. Their marriage was a true partnership, illustrating faithfulness, humility, patience, understanding, and love. He was a model husband whose world revolved around his loving wife, Nancy and his family.
John was a deeply spiritual man who shared God’s love with others. In 2014, he recommitted to his faith with baptism. He had a deep love for Jesus and a daily devotion to biblical study and prayer. John was an inspiration to all who knew him and was loved and admired by many. He was gracious, generous, caring, compassionate, thoughtful, and loving.
John had an infectious smile and a joyous laugh. John was an example of a man driven by his faith in God and his love of his family. He challenged those around them to be the best version of themselves and to be "givers" to this world. His heart was larger than life and he never hesitated to give to someone in need.
John’s legacy will live on forever through the many stories he shared and the memories of those who were blessed to know him. He will be remembered for his smile, his laugh, and the nicknames he gave to many furry members of the family over the years - ones that perfectly captured them. He is deeply missed daily by his beloved Cooper (pup), Gunner (grand pup), and his "babies" (grand felines), and his many other furry grandbabies. John was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor, and friend.
John is survived by and deeply missed by his beloved wife Nancy C. Newman; his children Jennifer Marie Newman, Kristen Lee Newman, Carole Jean Kostenblatt, Keith Richard Newman; his brothers Wilfrid F. Newman, Jr. and Michael D. Newman (Maggie); his sisters-in-law Jean C. DeVre and Deborah M. Beck; his brothers-in-law Frederick P. Miska and James F. Guariglia (Lisa); his grandchildren EmmaJo M. Kostenblatt, Jordan Willard; Kameron Willard (Chris), Brandon Willard, Coty E. Rines (Samantha), Brittany N. Gaffney, Amanda M. Caldwell (Chris), and Nathan W. Gaffney; and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and beloved friends.
John was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law Wilbur P. Miska and Constance F. Miska, his sister’s in-law Jacqueline Miska and Joy Newman; and his son-in-law, Michael P. Willard.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg, VA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to any one of a number of organizations near and dear to John and his family: Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank whose mission is to feed the hungry through a community-wide network of partner agencies and engage our community in the fight to end hunger. https://fredfood.org/
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) helps paralyzed and disabled Veterans regain their independence after injury or diagnosis. https://pva.org/
Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Virginia provides an environment of love, community, and hope to families of seriously ill children. RMHC-SWVA programs give a family with a sick child what they need most – each other. https://www.rmhc-swva.org/
Sanctuary Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is to be a small foster-based dog rescue located in Midlothian, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond. www.sanctuaryrescue.com/donations
Worthdays is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia whose mission is to mobilize the community to ensure that those impacted by the foster care system know they are important, worthy and celebrated. https://www.worthdays.org/
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend a reception at the family home after the celebration. Please come and visit with friends and family - share your stories and enjoy John and Nancy’s beautiful and peaceful yard. Refreshments and food will be provided.
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Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
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