Obituary of John Douglas Newton

John Douglas Newton, 88, passed away suddenly on 8 December, 2017 at his home in Halifax. Born in Hamilton, ON he was the son of the late Harry and Jean Newton. Big John was a merchant mariner, RV technician, lumberyard foreman, Gilwell Scout, trucker and gardener’s helper (wheelbarrow engineer). But it was 25 years of honourable service in the navy (1950-1975) that provided him worldly experiences and adventures to fuel his passion for storytelling. He served in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Ontario, Micmac, Quebec, Athabaskan, Swansea, Algonquin, Skeena, Annapolis and Cormorant. Climbing the ranks to Chief Petty Officer First Class, he was the last Chief Boatswain’s Mate of the aircraft carrier, HMCS Bonaventure. From the lost generation of sailors, he fought the Cold War, struggled through Unification, and conducted patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis and frequent overseas deployments. He revelled in commanding naval tenders, sailing and working on small boats. He displayed courage and grit as a deep sea diver during his early career, then as an inexperienced crew during the coastal transfer of the sail training vessel HMCS Oriole in 1954. It was during a port visit in Norway that he was introduced to downhill skiing. Repatriating this exhilarating sport for his entire family to enjoy, he purchased a chalet in the Wentworth Valley, and served for decades as a volunteer ski patroller then professional ski instructor, a passion he finally had to give up at 86 years of age. Survived by his loving wife Esvelda (Pennachiette) of 66 years, sons Paul (Sherry Hudson) and John (Tara Purcell), daughters Lynette, Julie (Paul Smulders) and Sarah (Rory Luxmoore) and adopted daughter Beth Guptill (Bruce Jollimore), brother Peter (Betty), sister-in-law Joan Newton,12 most loved grandchildren Laura, Erica, Ezekiel, Alysia, Cecilia, Lucy, Angus, Olivia, Celeste, Anthony, Nelson, Alexandra, and 3 great-grandchildren Zane, Theo and Xavier. He was pre-deceased by his brother Ken, his niece Jane Haines and nephew David Newton. A memorial service will be held at 1030 on Friday, 15 December 2017 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 45 Radcliffe Drive, Halifax. His ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date. Donations can be sent to St. Benedict’s Parish, the Salvation Army or a charity of choice. No flowers please. On line condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com, or at Esvelda’s Facebook.