Published in the March 3, 2017 edition
MELROSE — David E. Newell, 85, a longtime resident of Melrose, died at home on February 24, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He enjoyed a full and active life until experiencing serious health issues for the past three years. Throughout these struggles, he never complained and always remarked how lucky he was and what a wonderful life he had.
Dave was born in West Roxbury on May 28, 1931. He enjoyed a storybook childhood and married his high school sweetheart, Carol Thoms, at the age of 21. Shortly after marrying Carol he left to serve his country in the U.S. Army in Korea.
Dave attended MIT, URI and Northeastern University for his engineering degrees and worked his entire career at General Electric in Lynn.
When GE offered an early retirement option at age 59 he took it, and spent the next 28 years traveling and spending time in New Hampshire with the love of his life. He had many interests and loved working on house projects, wood carving and stained glass, and hiking in New Hampshire.
Dave was a talented, kind, supportive, patient and gentle soul. Family was most important to him and he and Carol took their children and their spouses on several memorable trips.
Dave was the beloved husband of Carol A. (Thoms) Newell with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Jeffrey D. Newell and his wife Sue of Auburn, N.H., Lori A. Hopper and her husband Chris of Olympia, Wash., Janice N. Bissex and her husband Don of Melrose, Diane S. Newell and her spouse Nancy of Beaverton, Oregon, and the late Denise C. Silvia and her surviving husband Frank of Woburn.
He was the dear brother of the late Ellie M. Newell and Betty Vincent and her husband Paul. Dave was also the cherished grandfather of Jenna, Julie, Jennifer, Nicole, David, Carolyn, Leah, Haley, Parker and the late Jake, and the loving great-grandfather of Ava, Anthony, Avery and Adalyn.
Dave was loved by many and will be missed forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Dave’s life at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 West Emerson St., Melrose on Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. To write an online tribute please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave’s memory may be made to Friends of the Fells, 235 West Foster St., Melrose MA 02176, or to one’s favorite charity or to support a local musician.
