Francis B. Newton, 86, of 657 Worcester St., passed away Friday, Jan. 30, in Harrington Memorial Hospital after an illness. His beloved wife of 48 years, Hilma D. (Beek) Newton, died in 1984. He is survived by three children and their spouses: Nadine and Peter Russell of Sturbridge, Robert and Paulette Newton of Pine Valley, NY, and Fances A. Newton and David Toth of Groton, CT; eight grandchildren, Scott and Kirk Russell, Leigh King, Kristen LaFerriere, Robyn Newton, Traci Mercier, Kevin and Jessica Rice; seven great-grandchildren, and by a nephew and several nieces. He was predeceased by two brothers, Donald and William Newton, and two sisters, Sarah Wiseman and Bernice Piper.
Mr. Newton was born in Newport, Maine, son of George and Florence (Stuart) Newton, and moved to Worcester in 1946. He lived in Worcester for 54 years, moving briefly to Auburn, and then to Southbridge in 2001. He worked for most of his life in the textile industry. He was superintendent of the Daniel E. Cummings Company in Newport before coming to Worcester, where he worked for various textile companies, most recently A.D. Windle Co./Hastings Yarn Co. of Millbury. He was still doing textile consulting at the time of his death.
Mr. Newton was a member of Meridian Splendor Lodge of Masons, Newport, and a former member of Adams Square Congregational Church, Worcester, where he served as a deacon and as chairman of the finance and stewardship committees. He was an avid sports fan and loved Dixieland jazz and big band music. However, his chief passion in life was his family.
His funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday in Nordgren Memorial Funeral Home, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester. Calling hours at the funeral home will be from 2 to 4 on Monday, and also on Tuesday 1 hour before from 12 - 1. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Harrington Memorial Hospital, 100 South St., Southbridge, 01550.