Samuel Ezra Newey

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of an extraordinary 101-year-old man, our national treasure, and patriarch of our family. Sam Newey was a dear friend and mentor to many, a man of remarkable grace, presence, and kindness. He doted on his family and friends with joy, love, and passion. His spiritual strength and exuberance were an example for all who knew him. Sam was a man of superb intellect, humility, and devotion to God and his church. He put faith and family first and gave generously of himself to his friends. His generosity was a keystone of his character. Sam’s life was a remarkable adventure. He was born in Chicago to Assyrian immigrant parents, Ezra and Katherine Newey. He attended Knickerbocker elementary school and graduated from Waller High School where he was the Salutatorian of his class. He attended Northwestern University as a pre-dental student.

During World War II, he volunteered for the US Army and became a combat medic with the infantry. While serving with the 28th Infantry Division in eastern France during the Battle of the Bulge, he was severely wounded. His recovery was long and painful and left him with scars for the rest of his life. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions. Following his recovery, he attended Georgetown University receiving a BS in Foreign Service, then an MA in Political Science from George Washington University School of Government.

Sam returned to Chicago and became a Federal Narcotics Agent for the US Treasury Department. He met the love of his life, Julienne Rahal at (SLAC) a Syrian-Lebanese convention, in Pittsburgh. They were married in St. Petersburg, FL, and enjoyed life together with their loving daughter Pam. They moved to Jacksonville, Florida where Sam worked in Julienne’s family business in communications. Sam followed his interest in real estate and became one of the premier commercial real estate developers in Jacksonville for 50 years.

His family was a priority as well as his Christianity. He and Julienne were founding members of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, FL. He served as Council Chairman, Trustee of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and life member of the Order St. Ignatius of Antioch. He was awarded the Antiochian Silver Medal and St. Raphael Gold Medal for his devotion. Sam was a member of Temple Lodge 23 of the Scottish Rite Bodies and Morocco Temple of the Shrine. He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Sam and Julienne enjoyed traveling extensively throughout their 64 years of marriage to Europe, Germany, China, and the Middle East. He was blessed to have the loving companionship of his daughter Pamela since the passing of Julienne in 2018. Sam was also preceded in death by his parents Ezra and Katherine Newey, sister Sarah Newey Benjamin, sister Florence Newey Meyer, and brother Simon Robert Newey. He is survived by his loving daughter Pam and many nieces and nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 1-2PM at Drake and Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will then take place Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 11AM at Assyrian Evangelical UCC, 6155 W Touhy Ave, Chicago, IL 60640. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Park in Northlake, IL with military honors rendered.

The Newey family deeply appreciates the Mayo Clinic for their care and kindness over the years.