Robert John Newton

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert John Newton announces his passing on February 21, 2025. Newt (as his friends called him) was born in Toronto on April 30, 1944, and married the love of his life, Gail Acheson, on May 18, 1968, in Ottawa. Bob and Gail were married for 50 years until Gail’s passing in 2018.

Bob Newton was a true original, a singular and stoic force. Bob’s parents (and stepfather) had passed away by the time he was an undergraduate student at Western University. As an only child with few familial connections, Bob built an incredible life with Gail in Guelph. After teaching in both Burlington and Owen Sound, Bob purchased the Royal Hotel in downtown Guelph in 1980. Bob would own and operate the Royal while starting a beautiful family of one son, Greg, and two daughters, Jenny and Alison. The family grew when Kazuko, Matt, and JP married the Newton kids.

In 1992, Bob continued his career in entertainment entrepreneurship with the establishment of Woodlawn Bowl (featuring RJ’s Bar & Grill), which he would own and operate until 2017. A business success story – Woodlawn Bowl became a go-to venue in the growing city of Guelph, a jewel of fun in the city’s north end.

What Bob lacked in extended family, he and Gail made up for with an enduring and loyal friend group that lived life to the fullest. The Newton house, nestled on Grange hill overlooking downtown Guelph, was a hub of social activity. Bob and Gail loved travelling with their friends and wintered in Tucson, Arizona.

Bob was an outstanding golfer and was a long-time member of Cutten Fields. In his younger years he also played hockey, tennis, squash, and was an avid runner. At home he was happiest in his favourite chair watching sports – from the CFL to the NBA to the PGA.

Quiet and consistent, Bob loved holding court at family dinners after manning the BBQ – he always asked if anyone else wanted grilled hot peppers. During dinners, Bob would sometimes take a trip down memory lane, surprising those at the table with colourful stories from his days at Western, his early adventures with his best friends, or even stories about runaway pigs at his Bognor hobby farm. Along with his children, Bob leaves behind his grandchildren whom he loved very much – Nathan, Ryan, Ben, Yui, Charlie and Abigail.

Bob was a role model of being your true self, living a life you love and treasuring the lifelong friends you make.

Bob will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and his home away from home, the Cutten Fields community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice Wellington. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and volunteers at the Hospice for their phenomenal level of care and compassion.

A celebration of life will take place this spring at Cutten Fields on Sunday June 1, 2025, from 2-4pm.