Jonathan Gray "Jay" Newman

Jonathan Gray Newman passed away peacefully at home in Exeter, RI, on March 9, 2025, on his 73rd birthday. Born on March 9, 1952, in Winchester, MA, he was the son of Gray B. and Marjorie M. (Murray) Newman. He was the devoted husband of Sherry A. R. Newman for 50 years.
He grew up in Wakefield, MA, where he swam and sailed competitively. The son of an airline pilot, he had a license to fly before he had a license to drive. He grew up surrounded by a variety of animals and cherished many family pets throughout his lifetime. He developed his love of the natural world as an enthusiastic member of the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In later years, he returned to Scouting as a den leader and parent volunteer. He was proud of hiking the North-South Trail across Rhode Island with his son's troop.
He served as Class Secretary of the Class of 1970, The Huntington School, Boston, MA. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA, in 1974. Upon graduation, he moved to Westerly, RI, to begin his engineering career at the C.B. Cottrell and Sons, Co. He subsequently worked at Harris Graphics, MAN Roland, and Foldex Corp., all companies specializing in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of printing presses. As part of his responsibilities, "Dr. Jay" clocked many hours as a troubleshooter at plant sites both domestic and abroad. He retired from his final professional position as Chief Engineer, Wardwell Braiding Co., in the fall of 2020.
Jay was also a talented musician. He had a clear, true tenor voice and was a well-loved and much-appreciated member of the many church choirs he sang in over the years. Jay and his wife Sherry met as teenagers singing together in the choir at First Parish Congregational Church in Wakefield, MA. There, they performed together, Jay on the French horn and Sherry on the organ. They also sang together for many years as members of the Chorus of Westerly. As a retirement project, Jay combined his mechanical and artistic skills to build a harpsichord as a gift for Sherry.
Jay was a true New Englander who rooted for all the Boston area sports teams. He loved driving the coastal byways from Watch Hill to Bar Harbor in search of "chowdah", fried clams, lobster rolls, and ice cream cones. He delighted in the beauty of the changing seasons and especially loved navigating the backroads for the best displays of fall foliage.
Beyond New England, Jay and Sherry enjoyed their adventures exploring historical sites and National Parks in the Mid-Atlantic, Mountain West, Southwest, and Pacific Coast regions. They also traveled to many countries in Western Europe, appreciating iconic landmarks and scenic landscapes. An amateur photographer, Jay had a good eye for framing and perspective, capturing treasured memories along the way.
Jay took great pride in his children who earned advanced degrees and pursued careers in higher education, humanitarianism, conservation, and science – all endeavors he deeply valued. He is survived by his daughter, Rachel M. Newman, and her fiancé, Brian T. Murphrey, of Worcester, MA; his daughter, Rebecca A. Newman, of Wakefield, RI; and his son, Adam G. Newman, of Sacramento, CA. They are his proudest legacy.
He is also survived by his loving siblings, sister Deborah and her husband Carlton Stallworth of Atlanta, GA, and brother, Christopher Newman and his wife Deborah of Wakefield, MA, and an extended family of nieces and nephews.
We will fondly remember Jay as a humble, kind, and loyal man and miss his stories and sense of humor.
Visiting hours will be held at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI 02879, on Saturday, March 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jay's name to the National Park Foundation in Washington, D.C.