Ciaran Richard Newman

A "greater than life" was lost from the world on Friday, July 19th. Ciaran Richard Newman, 86, was a blessing to those who got the pleasure of knowing him. He passed peacefully with his family in his Jacksonville home. Ciaran was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland by Alacoque and Ted Newman in the Phibsborough neighborhood.

Growing up in Ireland, Ciaran attended the local community parochial school. He always enjoyed music, but wasn't a gifted singer. So he often shared that, during choral classes, he was explicitly asked to sit outside. He didn't care for traditional schooling and eventually dropped out of school to pursue the adventure and education that life had to offer.

With school no longer a bother, he often hitchhiked all over Ireland, camping in his youth with his friends, and completed odd jobs in Ireland and England until he could achieve his goal of going into the navy. He first tried the Irish and English Navy, but neither would admit him. Ultimately, he would find his way to the United States via an uncle in New York and joined the US Navy in 1964..

The US Navy provided Ciaran with the adventure and work he had always dreamed of. He was able to travel the whole world and see and experience so many different things. He was thankful and proud to become a United States citizen and to serve his country for 28 years, especially at Vietnam. He wouldn't go anywhere without wearing his Vietnam Veteran hat with his US Navy pin added.

Ciaran was generous and loving. He would welcome any and all into his home. He would give you a very detailed tour and did everything for you the first time, helping you acclimate - but after that you were on your own. He hoped you would feel comfortable enough to treat anything he had as yours. You were welcome into his home any time of day, for any circumstance. Need a place to stay? He had room. Just passing through? Come on by to rest and refresh for a couple of hours. And rest you could: if you gave advanced notice of you coming, he would ensure that a feast of barbecued meats and a cold beverages were waiting for you.

Don't let his charming smile fool you, he could be quite divilish (pronounced in the Irish style). Those in his care were always his priority, but he could be stubborn when he believed actions, processes, or manuals weren't the best path to follow for certain situations. If he really didn't like you, he would fulfill his duties, but annoy the heck out of you in the process. If you know about the radio incident, no further illustrations are needed, if you don't ask one of his kids they will tell you all about it.

A mental image of Ciaran must include a camera. Whether it's one to capture photos or videos, he was always armed to captures life's moments. One step into his home and you are bombarded by photos. The love and pride for his family is evident on every inch of available wall space. He loved being surrounded by his loved ones and experiences.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Amparo. His four children and ten grandchildren: Eileen Marcy (Christopher), Rouena Miller (Steve), Cathleen Schultz (Scott), Sean Newman. Jacquelyn Marcy, Adam Marcy (Jessica), JP Marcy, Brendan Marcy, Alacoque Marcy, Ciara Marcy, Elizabeth Marcy, Annmarie Marcy, Evelynn Schultz and John Schultz. His brothers Noel Newman and Kenneth Newman (Marie), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kazuko, son David Newman, parents Alacoque and Ted, sister-in-love Joan Gearon, Brother in Arms, Bill DeWar, Richard E. Martinez, and George D. Tinko.

Visitation will be at Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens, 1701 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 on Tuesday, July 30th from 5:00pm -7:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2400 Mayport Road, Jacksonville, FL 32233 on July 31st at 10:30am.

Graveside services with full Navy Honors will be at 1:30pm at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ciaran's favorite charity, "Food for the Poor".

https://foodforthepoor.org/