Reginald NEWMAN

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NEWMAN: Reginald James “Jamie” Newman, age 45 years, of Brandon, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, December 8, 2013, surrounded by his family. Jamie was born to Jim and Carole Newman on April 2, 1968 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The family moved to Brandon in 1975 and Jamie started the 2nd grade at Valleyview Elementary. He also attended Riverview Elementary, Earl Haig Junior High and Crocus Plains High School, graduating in 1986. His first real job as a young teenager was working for Kentucky Fried Chicken. As a teen, Jamie spent two summers working for Mitchell’s Concession travelling across Canada and parts of the United States with the fair. After high school, Jamie lived in Winnipeg and worked at various different jobs, one being Grapes on Main. He also lived in Manitouwadge, Ontario for a time. From 1993 to 1996, Jamie worked at various restaurants in Brandon – Chicago Joes, Kokanos, The Green Olive just to name a few. “Jamie was the best cook ever!” In 1997, he worked in Carndiff, SK at Fast Trucking. He then spent the next twelve years working in the Feed business first for Cargill (Nutrena Feeds) and then Feed Rite. From 2010-2013 Jamie was the warehouse manager at Old Dutch Foods. He was fondly known as “The Chip Guy”. Jamie was a smart man and was successful at all the jobs he had over the years. He was very hardworking and dedicated and always willing to go that extra mile for the people he worked with. He was the “go to guy” coming in early or staying after hours to load that one extra truck. Jamie was very sports minded. As a child, he played baseball, as a teen, he played high school basketball for Crocus and as an adult he played on various recreation leagues such as baseball and volleyball. While living in Souris, he and Shelley played slow pitch. Last summer Jamie taught Daniel how to golf and they often went fishing together. Jamie loved the outdoors and looked forward to family camping trips each summer. In 2010/11 he was Daniel’s Cub Leader at the 18th Scouts Brandon and was fondly known as “Akala”. He coached Daniel’s Mosquito Baseball league for the past two years. Jamie enjoyed the little everyday things like playing video games and wrestling matches with Daniel, as well as working on the treehouse or going for a bike ride or a walk. Some fond childhood memories Jamie had shared were the summers he spent with his cousin Brian, Grandma and Grandpa Bates at the cabin at the Whiteshell. There were also the family trips to the beach such as Delta, Kenosee and Clear Lake as well as the trip to British Columbia with his Aunt Connie. Jamie met Shelley in December 1992 and they were married May 12, 2001. Their son Daniel was born August 9, 2002. Jamie was a loving, devoted husband and father. He was Shelley’s best friend. He loved his family and friends and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was a kind, generous, thoughtful, caring, funny man. He could always make me laugh and had one of the greatest laughs himself. This is just one of the many things I will miss! Jamie was very much his own person. “What you see is what you get” with Jamie. He tried very hard not to take life too seriously, but instead to enjoy life as much as possible. He was so much fun and the life of any party. He was very charming and charismatic… you just couldn’t help but love him and everyone did! Jamie was also a huge tease, but everyone loved that about him too. Jamie loved his “Cats”. They were just like family to him. Jamie, Daniel promises to carry on “Hisses or Kisses” with Buttercup for you!Jamie will be lovingly remembered by his wife Shelley, son Daniel, mother Carole, sister Suzie (Lorne) and their children Abigail and Derek, brother Tim (Brenda) and their children Samantha and Ryan, mother-in -law Beth, in-laws Debbie (Paul), Connie, Arlene (Raymond), numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and his cat Buttercup. He was predeceased by his father Jim Newman in 2009, father-in-law Bob Efford in 2003 and his cat Buddy. The Funeral Ceremony was held at Trinity United Church on Friday, December 13, 2013. Rev. Wayne Sanderson and Rev. Harvey Hurren officiated. Pallbearers were Rob Wowk, Lorne Melnyk, Andrew Janz, Greg Boulet, Tim Newman and Paul Gilligan. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Friends who wish, may make a donation in memory of Jamie to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, #3 - 824 - 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5B7 or the Fund for Furry Friends, #208-740 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0K9. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330. Life will never be the same without you Jamie, but we will carry you with us in our hearts today and always. “Elephant Shoes” Hon… Until we meet again!

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 18, 2014