JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

John Henry Newman, our witty and fun-loving Dad, Grandpa, Husband, Cousin and Uncle passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on September 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 88 years young.

John was born in Brandon on May 26, 1937, and lived in Brandon his entire life. He had fond memories of weekends at the farm in Langenburg, SK playing with his “#1 cousin” Alec and visiting his Grandma and Grandpa. School was never really his thing, so after sophomore year at BCI (1956) he took his first job pumping gas for Mr. Dickson, a family friend. It wasn’t long after, in July 1957 that his long career with Manitoba Hydro began. He obtained his GED, and over the next several years worked away at his Power Engineer tickets, obtaining his First Class ticket in August, 1971. John had many, many friends through his 36 and a half years at Hydro, and he told stories about those years for the rest of his life.

Dad married our Mom, Sally, in September 1968 and by all accounts they had some “newlywed adventures” before the arrival of their daughter Karla in April 1972. Once David arrived in September 1977, the family was complete. Dad’s life was very full when we were growing up. He brought us into the Wheat King fan fold at an early age, and we spent many a night watching the Wheaties play at the Keystone Centre - section 11, Row J, Seats 13 and 14 were “our seats” for years. We spent summers at the cabin at Clear Lake being on the boat, swimming, playing lawn darts, and sitting around the campfire visiting with the Grey Owl crew. We went on family vacations, from Minnesota to California and several times out west to visit friends and family. He was always on top of Karla’s studies and piano (not so much the ballet!) and would never miss David’s hockey or soccer games. He worked very hard to provide for his family, and didn’t retire until Karla was done University in December 1994.

There was never a day of retirement that didn’t agree with John! When he didn’t want to pay for season’s tickets anymore (!!), he became a “Host” at the Brandon Wheat Kings games for years, being stationed at the top of the south end between sections 19 and 20. He followed the Wheaties as closely as possible and was hard-pressed to ever miss a game. To call him a devoted, life-long fan feels like a huge understatement. He played in the Tamarack golf tournament for many years and if he wasn’t playing was always there to watch David, Lucas and Lawson for their qualifiers and matches. He also played with the senior’s league at Glen Lea for many years. For several years between 2005 and 2015 Dad and Marlene travelled south to Yuma, Arizona to escape the nasty Manitoba winter. There were many good times had under the hot sun and a large group of friends emerged.

After those travel years, he got back into curling, and curled as a spare up until this past winter. Oh, and let’s not forget going for coffee at the mall and happy hours with Dick, Karen and Laurie whenever he could. Good times and laughter were never in short supply.

The best hockey, of course, was when Lucas and Lawson played. Grandpa was their avid fan, always wanting their schedules so that he could be there to watch their games.

Dad loved life, loved his family unconditionally and was very proud of his daughter, son and grandsons. He would often talk of friends, both new and old, as a “good guy”, never seeming to realize that he was one himself. He would never let an opportunity to say “hello” to someone pass by and always had a friendly “How you doing?” and handshake at the ready.

John will be dearly missed by his daughter Karla (Steve) and son David (Audra); his grandsons Lucas and Lawson; nieces Joanne, Leah, Stephanie and Emily and nephew Simon; other extended family members and decades-long friends Raymond and Glen. He was predeceased by Sally, parents Robert and Bertha and brother Bob.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent care Dad received from Westman CancerCare, particularly Dr. Sivananthan. “Dr. S”, our Dad not only trusted your word, but admired your dapper fashion sense and snazzy footwear! Dad also had fantastic treatment and care in hospital from Dr. Fourie. Coffee crew members, you know who you are, we feel blessed that Dad had your comradery and friendship these last few years. He treasured those times more than you know.

A memorial service will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332 8th Street, Brandon, at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life “After Party” at 2:30 p.m. at the Brandon Legion, 560 13th Street East, Brandon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the Legion (local) or to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Condolences: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 13, 2025