John Kenneth Newell

Pacific Grove ~ John Newell, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and neighbor, passed away peacefully, in the home that he loved, surrounded by his loving family. John was born on a farm in Putnam County, Missouri, the youngest of six children. His mother died when he was eight and his father passed away two years later, leaving him an orphan. John lived with various relatives working for them as a hired hand to earn his “keep.” An avid reader blessed with a sharp, inquisitive mind, he taught by being a living example of integrity, humility, kindness, and simplicity.

John joined the U. S. Army and served in Africa in WWII. While in the Army, he met and married Carmela dePuente. They moved from Missouri to the Monterey Peninsula in the mid 1940’s, purchasing their first and only home in Pacific Grove, and raising five children there.

John was a humble, kind, and helpful man who loved his children, extended family, church, and community of Pacific Grove. He was on a first-name basis with many in his community having served as a gas station attendant, milkman, security guard, school crossing guard and usher at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church. He was known throughout his neighborhood for his practice of picking up newspapers from the sidewalk and placing them on his neighbors’ porches each morning. He considered this his “job” and did it for many years. He loved baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Carmela, his grandson, Christopher Foord, and his son-in-law, Timothy Head. He is survived by his children: Gloria (John) Webster, Michael (Pamela) Newell, Juanita (Michael) Russo, Madeleine Head and Debra Foord. Grandpa will be greatly missed by his ten grandchildren; Beth, Jeff, Andy, Mike, Jennifer, Michael, Steven, Catherine, Nicole, and Alec. He also leaves behind the delight of his later years, his twelve great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Dr. Gary Grant and his loving caregivers, Francis Herrera, Ricardo de Guzman and his Hospice nurses.

The Rosary will be recited this Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 PM and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following morning, Friday, June 7 at 11:00 AM, both at St. Angela Merici. Memorial donations can be made in John’s memory to St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, 146 – 8th St. or St. Vincent DePaul, 214 Forest Ave., both in Pacific Grove.