NEWMAN, Gerald; – passed away unexpectedly at his home in Clifford on Friday, November 7, 2014 in his 77th year. Gerald was the beloved husband of Frances (Nickel) Newman for 58 years, and proud father of Douglas Newman and his wife Jane of Elora, Rosemary Newman and her husband Blair Wightman of Clifford, Garfield Gini-Newman and his wife Laura of Caledon East, Gail Molloy and her husband Greg of Naperville, Illinois, and Kevin Newman and his wife Elisabeth of Ayton. Lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Andrew, Scott, Kaela, Ian, Megan, Alexander, Benjamin, Mathew, Geoffrey, Nikita, Conor, Shannon, Colton, and Dexter.
Gerald was the brother of Mabel Mercier, Faye Binkley, and Keith and Wendy Newman, all of Harriston, Sharon Lett of Waterloo, Dale Newman of Brussels, Lloyd Newman and Cathy Cybulskie of Kitchener, and Bonnie and Frank Mantler of Harriston; and brother-in-law of Elaine Newman of Chesley, Doug Nickel of Mount Forest, Bernice Binkley of Clifford and Margaret Weber of Harriston. He was predeceased by his infant son Christopher, by his parents Charles and Martha Newman, by his brothers Robert Newman and Donald Newman, by his sister Janice Hale and her husband Bernard, by his sisters-in-law Carmie Newman and Mildred Newman and by his brothers-in-law Andrew Lett, Jack Binkley, Harvey Mercier, Russell Weber, Irvin Binkley, and Carl Nickel. As a previous longtime member and Past President of the Clifford Rotary Club, Gerald was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award acknowledging exceptional service and contribution to the community. An active member of Harriston United Church, Gerald served on the Board of Stewards and the Session.Gerald worked everyday from the time he was sixteen until the day before he died. He always had a project underway or a new scheme in mind. He built gardens, restored over 20 antique tractors and lately he was raising exotic chickens. As busy as he kept himself he was never too busy to help others. His compassionate nature extended to the many dogs he loved over the years. Gerald was a life-long entrepreneur. In the 1960’s he had a Toastmaster bread route and delivered bread and baked goods to rural Mid-Western Ontario families. In the 1970’s he built a successful monument repair and foundation business that took him all over Ontario where he gained universal respect for his hard work and honesty. He had a great sense of humour and had a competitive nature, especially when it came to playing cards, crokinole and dominos. Gerald also had a wonderful sense of adventure enjoying travels and new experiences. Gerald was a humble, shy, hardworking man that enjoyed life. He was a great man that will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Friends called at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. The funeral service was held from Harriston United Church on Tuesday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jessica Cottrell officiating. Interment in Harriston Cemetery Memorial donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation or Harriston United Church would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
