Father Jack Newton served Hawaii 26 years after retiring as a Navy chaplain
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
When Father “Jack” Newton wanted to retire in Kailua, Oahu, after 27 years as a Navy chaplain, instead of returning to his New Jersey diocese, his bishop agreed under one condition, “… provided you work.” Father Newton therefore instructed everyone he met that, if they ran into the Bishop of Camden, “Tell him you saw me working.”
A lot of people at St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua, whose pastor Father Thomas Gross relayed that charmer in his parish bulletin, saw Father Newton working. For the past two decades, he celebrated Mass and provided other sacramental services there.
Father John G. Newton ceased his earthly labors Feb. 6 when he died at his Keolu Drive home, peacefully and without pain, after months of illness. He was 85 and a priest for almost 56 years.
“He dearly loved the opportunity to celebrate Mass with our parish and enjoyed the many friends he made here over the last 26 years,” Father Gross wrote.
“He always had a smile, a joke, a twinkle in his eye as he shared with us his deep love of God and the church,” he said. “May he rest in the peace and love of the Lord that he so richly deserves!”
Father Newton was born June 3, 1923, on Long Island, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and enrolled at Fordham University after his discharge.
He entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore in 1947 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden on May 30, 1953. After serving in several parishes, his bishop gave him permission to be a Navy chaplain. Joining in 1956, he served throughout his career in 14 assignments, including Pearl Harbor, Barber’s Point and his final stop, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.
He retired from the Navy on June 1, 1983, and remained in Hawaii, helping out parishes all over Oahu. In 1989, St. John Vianney Parish needed his help on a regular basis and he assisted there until very recently when his health began to fail. Until two years ago, he was also the Port Chaplain for the Diocese of Honolulu.
Father Newton’s funeral was set for Feb. 19 at St. John Vianney Church. He will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy at a later date.
He is survived by his sister, Hazel Barr of Queens, N.Y., who was able to spend his last week with him.