Bridgewater – Francis J. Newell 91 died Thursday December 11 after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of 74 years to Lillian (Hannan) Newell.
Born in Melrose and raised in Brockton he was the son of the late Guy and Mildred (O’Connell) Newell and a graduate of Brockton High School.
Prior to his move to Bridgewater 35 years ago, he had been a longtime resident of Whitman where he had worked for over 30 years as a custodian for the elementary schools of Whitman.
He was a dedicated fan to the Patriots and Red Sox. He had a talent for repairing and building bicycles from spare parts and would often bring truckloads of bikes and toys to charities. Local children knew him as the “Bike Man” for his generosity.
In addition to his wife Lillian he is survived by his children William Newell of Bridgewater, Thomas Newell and his wife Teri of Taunton, Francis Newell, Jr. and his companion Marion Diane Arrighi of Bridgewater, Janet Cox of East Bridgewater and Joyce O’Neill and her husband John of Sandwich, his brothers James Newell of West Bridgewater and William Newell of Plymouth and his sister Helen Columbo of Brockton. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Maureen LeBlanc and his siblings John Newell and Dinah Piesecki.
His funeral service will be held Saturday December 20 at 10:00 AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Friday December 19 from 5:00-8:00 PM.
Donations may be made in the memory of his daughter Maureen LeBlanc to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284