Cyril Richard Newman

In loving memory of Cyril Richard Newman who passed away peacefully at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie, ON, on July 18, 2024, at the age of 95.  He was born on July 1, 1929 to the late, William "Bill" Newman and the late, Dora Newman (nee: Pierce) who immigrated from Dorset and Sommerset, England to settle on good farmland in Athens, ON.

Cyril left the Newman Farm to look for work; while his brother, John continued in the farming industry, and today it is an impressive 4th generation farm.  Cyril eventually settled in North Bay, ON where he met his wife Eileen and he worked for the CN Railway.  They purchased a home and welcomed their first child Kim, and their second child Kevin.  Once the CN Railway office in North Bay closed, Cyril was transferred to Capreol, ON where he worked in Telecommunications for the CNCP as a Wire Chief and Office Manager. After retirement, Cyril and Eileen moved to Barrie to be close to their son, Kevin Newman (Lynn) and their daughter, Kim Merchant (Guy).  Once retired, the grandchildren were arriving; Chad Newman, his sister, Jessica Falcioni and Julia Merchant who is now raising their great grandson, Josiah.

Cyril was an avid reader and history buff, plus never missed a newspaper even doing all the puzzles too which helped him stay sharp.  He would be social when he met you out walking as he enjoyed a chat with his neighbours, plus enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee at McDonalds.   There were family gatherings at their home and their daughter's home over the years.  In younger days, there were family visits to the farm, the cottage in Temiskaming, and  camping as a family.  When Cyril and Eileen were empty nesters, they enjoyed the bowling leagues in Capreol and in Barrie.  Cyril was a handyman in his day; he built a car port, put up drywall,  laid laminate flooring, built a few decks, and made pine furniture before retiring from his hobbies.

Cyril was a 20 year throat cancer survivor with radiation treatment received at the Princess Margaret hospital; plus after a heart attack, four stints were inserted at the Southlake Hospital in Newmarket, so he appreciated many more years of life.  One of Cyril's enjoyments in life was his story telling; he would have a glint in his eye as he let you know of the many fascinating things that happened in his life.  Cyril was a family man, plus he appreciated those in his community that fought in the war and tells their stories too, plus the interesting family stories, along with the dangerous experiences of farming.  Cyril expressed his Christian faith, and he would say that his wife Eileen was in Heaven.

Cyril was predeceased by his wife Eileen Newman in January of 2024, and his son Kevin Newman in June of 2012.  He is predeceased by his sister Sylvia Geiger (Jim deceased) and his brother, John Newman (Marjorie deceased), but survived by his sisters', Gwen Whillans (Alan deceased) of Parry Sound, and Dorothy Chellew (Wayne deceased) of Athens.  He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews in the Newman, Geiger, Whillans and Chellew families.   All the families would gather at Grandma Newman's farm for the best picnics, and enjoy fun activities among the many cousins.

Cyril Newman's interment will be on a future date at the Barrie Union Cemetery where his urn will be laid to rest with his dear wife, Eileen and his dear son, Kevin Newman.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Princess Margaret www.thepmcf.ca or Southlake Regional Health Centre www.southlake.ca would be greatly appreciated by the family.