John R. Newton

ATHOL - John R. Newton, 67 of Athol, passed away due to complications from diabetes Wednesday, October 26, 2016 in the UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Worcester. He was born in Gardner, on April 15, 1949, the son of the late Carl O. and the late Dorothy M. (LaFord) Newton. John grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School with the Class of 1967. He attended Nasson College in Springvale, ME for 3 years. He worked for the L. S. Starrett Tool Company as a salesman as well as in the credit department. He owned & operated Newton's Corner Store with his wife Diane for 8 years, from 1994 -2002. He was a communicant of Our Lady Immaculate Church, past president and treasurer of the Athol Boosters Association and past president of the Athol Historical Society. He was a pitcher in the Pequoig Softball League for the Royal Cafe, and was a member of the Friday Night Candle Pin Bowling League for many years in Athol and at the French King Bowling Center in Erving. He leaves his wife of 38 years: Diane (Roussel) Newton; twin sister: Jane Newton of Rutland; one brother: William Newton and his wife Faye of Southport, NC; a brother in law Kent Roussel of Athol; a sister in law, Joan Newton of Athol; nieces and nephews: Cheryl Levesque, Brian Newton, Cathy Savoy, Susan Piro, Dana Tindall, Brandon Newton, Scott Newton, Colby Roussel, Shelby Roussel; mother-in-law: Irene Roussel of Athol. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his brother: Richard Newton and his father-in-law: Romeo Roussel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:00 am in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday, November 4, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackafmilyfh.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.