Name: Visitation for Gordon A. Newell
Start: 2020-10-26T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-10-26T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Beers & Story Funeral Home - Belchertown

Gordon Alfred Newell, 80, passed away October 20, 2020. He was born on December 14, 1939 in Gardner, Massachusetts to the late Ernest and Beatrice (Kelley) Newell. Gordon proudly served his country as a medic in the US ARMY for three years until April of 1964 before joining the US Air Force Reserve, earning numerous honors. He was a brilliant writer and he served as the managing editor for the Fitchburg Sentinel, Editor for the Worcester Telegram and the Athol Daily News. In 1999, Gordon Newell retired as an Air Force Reservist and full-time civilian public affairs officer and base spokesman at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts during Desert Storm after over 20 years of proudly serving our country.

Gordon loved animals (especially cats), and his daily drives through the Quabbin in his red Mazda Miata to enjoy the wildlife. He was a loving stepfather to Jim Romanowicz, Bob Romanowicz, Dave Romanowicz, Jeanne Cormier, Jane Cohen and Mary Tillotson and step grandfather to Jessica Spencer and Adam Cormier. His sense of humor and his stories about his travel and service for his country will be greatly missed. An hour of visitation will be held on Monday October 26th from 10:00-11:00 am at the Beers & Story Funeral Home in Belchertown. Closing Military Honors will be rendered at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gordon can be made to the MSPCA. For more info, visit www.beersandstory.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Athol Daily News on Oct. 22, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Newell

Sponsored by Beers & Story Funeral Home - Belchertown.

11 Entries

Joe Marois

October 31, 2020

Farewell to a friend and a wonderful person to be with. I have many fond memories from working with you on the Galaxy Community Council and how you worked with us on our civic trips. Joe Marois

Anne Kymalainen Powers

October 27, 2020

Condolences to Gordon’s family. He was a spitfire of a guy. Have many fond memories of working with him at Public Affairs at Westover. He was a great guy, that appreciated a good sense of humor, and having fun.
He will be missed.

CMSgt Andrew Biscoe

October 25, 2020

Gordon was an understated but efficient, direct, and authoritative public affairs officer. I worked for him from December 2001, when he hired me, until March 2005, when this mainstay of the base retired. My heyday with this professional was during the Operation Iraqi Freedom surge at Westover in 2003. He was the “face of Westover,” and his professionalism and pride in the base’s operations would rub off on this impressionable staff sergeant. Years later, I’d find myself often in front of TV cameras, too. I was proud to continue the tradition of telling the Westover story.

In the years I worked with him, Gordon taught me so much about Air Force Reserve public affairs.
Gordon was a professional and all business when he had to be, but he also took time to be very funny. He’d poke fun at my last name getting mispronounced while proclaiming, “It’s Sergeant Briscoe,” he’d say with
a smile. “Just remember, it’s a silent ‘r.’” I’ve recited Gordon’s declaratij ever since, because people still mispronounce or misspell my last name!

I continue to serve in the public affairs career field today — and it’s because of Gordon that my career got its start in the Air Force Reserve.

Thanks Gordon – for being there as my boss, for our country, and for our Air Force. May God bless you and your family.

Steve Fundakowski

October 25, 2020

I always enjoyed talking to Gordon I will miss that.

terry lake

October 25, 2020

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Bruce Winchester

October 24, 2020

To all of you - so sorry for your loss. Be at peace and hold on to fond memories.

Margaret Cote

October 23, 2020

Rest now dear friend.....job well done! The Cote family.

Rick Dyer

October 23, 2020

Sincere condolences to all of Gordon’s family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a superb writer, editor and public affairs professional. It was a privilege to serve with him for more than a decade at Westover ARB. Gordon was a true Patriot and an extremely loyal friend and colleague! RIP Gordo!
Rick and Kathy Dyer
Manchester, Conn

J Walachy

October 23, 2020

Sympathy to the Newell family .
Gordon was so willing to share his experiences while in Germany when he learned that I had booked a trip to Germany .

J Walachy

October 23, 2020

Sympathy to the Gordon’s family - Gordon talked about his time in Germany when he learned that I booked a trip to Germany - he had many stories & recommendations

Cynthia Simison, The Republican, Springfield

October 22, 2020

I'm among a legion of reporters from across the region who will be forever grateful for Gordon during his time in public affairs at Westover Air Reserve Base, especially during the first war in the Persian Gulf. We spent long hours together, day in and day out, month after month, as Westover rose to the call of duty. Gordon ensured the Westover story was told accurately and preserved for history. He understood and knew well the needs of journalists because he was also one of us. Condolences to his family and loved ones. He was also a friend. RIP

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