MICHAEL NEWMAN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MICHAEL NEWMAN

On Monday, November 7, 2022, Michael John David Newman, formerly of Winnipeg, slipped quietly and peacefully into eternal life. He is reunited with his beloved wife, Winifred, who predeceased him in 2008. His last years were spent lovingly cared for in the home of Nicholas and Odile.
Michael was born September 28, 1926, in London to Eileen Merlyn (née Hussey) and Edward Newman. His twin sister, Patricia died at birth. Others in his family who predeceased him include his elder brother Hubert, son John, granddaughter Pina, great-grand-daughter Zoey.
Left to mourn are his children: Joseph, SJ; Nicholas (m. Odile); Francis (m. Barbara); Marie-Claire (m. Enriquillo); Christine (m. Guy); as well as 13 grandchildren with their eight spouses, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Michael was, first and foremost, a man of Christian faith. Influenced as he was by the scientific method and the search by many of his contemporaries for a purely rational description of the Universe, he nevertheless knew in his heart that something more than logic must account for the experiences of life. Goedel's proof convinced him that since we cannot prove every truth, there must be a higher power: God. Further contemplation and study led him to embrace the Catholic (from the Greek: Universal) Church.
From a young age, Michael had been keenly interested in Biology. As an adult, this evolved into his life's work as a Physician, as well as into a penchant for gardening and a near obsession with birdwatching.
As did many of his peers in England, Dad attended boarding school from a young age. The intellectual foundations inculcated at Winchester College were second to none, but the separation from family left emotional scars such that Dad made sure that none of us would be sent away for primary or secondary school.
After high school, Michael was accepted into Cambridge University on a full scholarship. He earned his MB in 1952, and his MD in 1956. In 1959, he and his young family arrived in Winnipeg where he became an active member of the medical community, both as a practitioner and as a leader. One of only two Neurologists when he started work in Manitoba in 1959, he built the Department of Neurology into a well-respected University Section. He was a professor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba for many years, and during 1982, he led the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba as its President.
Michael and Winifred (née Potter) were married in Oxford June 14, 1952. Over the course of nearly 55 years, they lived together the joys and challenges of a rapidly changing world. Having been raised between a broken home and loveless boarding schools, Dad worked very hard with Mum to ensure that we all had a stable and loving home. Mum and Dad both attributed the success of their union to their common faith - not to mention some very hard work.
Mass of the Resurrection has taken place in Montreal. Please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

Requiescat in Pace.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2022