John Warren Newsom

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Newsom on Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the age of 90.

Jack was born on July 30th, 1922 in Summerside, PEI, the youngest of three children and only son, born to Reginald and Beatrice Newsom. The family moved West in 1926, eventually settling in Kelowna a year later. Jack attended school in Kelowna and joined the Army at the age of 19 during World War II, serving for four years. On his return to Kelowna, Jack met Barbara Smith and they married in 1948. Jack operated the family grocery, Newsom’s Store at Five Bridges, as well as a service station next door. After selling the business, he started a new career as an Investment Advisor. Jack and Barb owned a farm for many years in the area of the current Dilworth Shopping Centre, where they were known by locals for growing and selling pumpkins. He was an active member of the Kinsmen Club, he enjoyed curling and later, after retirement, he took up golfing. His great passion was cars and motor homes and he travelled much of Canada and the United States, as well as many foreign countries, making friends wherever he went. At the time of his retirement, Jack was manager of Odlum Brown Ltd.

Jack was predeceased by his wife Barbara (1988), his sisters, Jeanne Warman (1996) and Edith Mayall (2011), and his nephew Roy Warman (2010). Jack is survived by his nieces, Pat (Willi) Lange of Kelowna, Leslie Lunggren of Surrey, and two nephews, John (Robyn) Mayall and Jeff (Lynn) Mayall of Calgary, Alberta, and all their families. He is also survived by his good friend, Gerry McKay and her three daughters, Kenna Barter, Barb (Doug) Sawatsky and Marnie (Richard) LeVert and their families, all of Victoria, BC. Special thanks to his great-niece, Lisa (Mark) Planz, of Kelowna, for all the personal and loving care she gave to her Uncle Jack.

A Memorial Gathering in Jack’s honour, is being held on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 at the Benvoulin Heritage Church Hall, 2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC, between 1 - 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC (250)762-2299.