Paul Arthur Newham

With his family at his side, Paul Newham passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024 at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 77 years. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Catherine Newham (McHale) of Portage la Prairie, sons James Newham of Brandon and Matthew (Nadine) Newham of Portage la Prairie, grandchildren Victoria (Tanner) Newham, Cameron (MacKenna) Newham and McKauleigh Tegg-Newham, siblings Pamela Spouge of Nottingham, England and Peter (Sheila) Newham of Nottingham, England, sisters-in-law Ann-Marie (Steve) Stacey of London, England and Moira Keetley of Sheffield, England.  He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved him dearly in the UK. Paul is predeceased by his parents Arthur and Joyce Newham of Nottingham, England, Catherine’s parents John and Elizabeth McHale of Loughrea, Ireland, brother-in-law Rick Spouge of Nottingham, England and his nephew Robert Murray of Nottingham, England. 

Paul Arthur Newham was born on the 7th of March, 1947 to Arthur and Joyce Newham at 7:00 am weighing 7 lbs and 7oz in Nottingham, England. He would have wanted you to know this detail, he was very proud of it. He was raised in Nottingham, and after secondary school, Paul went on to study Mining Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham University while working for Britain’s National Coal Board. It was at a university dance in 1968 where he met the love of his life, Catherine. They married in 1970 at the Saint. Barnabus Cathedral in Nottingham. Paul and Catherine welcomed their first son, James in 1973. In 1975, Paul, Catherine and James immigrated to Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Canada. After a year in Lynn Lake, the family of three were transferred to Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. It was there that they welcomed their second son, Matthew in 1976. It was also in Leaf Rapids where the family forged many long-lasting, meaningful relationships and where Paul found his love for Canadian culture, particularly hockey! Paul and the boys quickly became heavily involved in the local minor hockey association, with Paul acting as club treasurer for several years. Leaf Rapids was a very special community to Paul, and he kept in close contact with these friends through the Kin Club of Canada for the rest of his life. A special group of friends who started as a district executive team met every year for forty years to celebrate their friendship. In 1987, the Newhams made the decision to move to their forever home, Portage la Prairie.

After 25 years of working contracts in Canada’s high arctic, Paul traveled to work in Southern Greenland. He finished the last ten years of his fantastic career at a special mine site in Northern Saskatchewan called SeaBee. Seabee was a special job to Paul because there he felt very valued, appreciated and understood. They were very good to him. In 2022, Paul finally “fully” retired and got to enjoy the lights of his life. Paul worked hard all his life, doted on his family, loved his dogs, Heidi, Orlanda and Peaches, and was always there for you when you needed him. He was the one you would share a sneaky side-eye with when you saw something questionable. He had the British, dry sense of humor and never shied from using it.

We, the family, wish to sincerely thank Dr. Riley Workman and the staff of PDGH for their kindness and compassion.

Prayers will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm.  Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, led by Father Michael Savarimuthu.  Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Columbarium at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Paul’s name to the Cancer Society of Canada, Suite 300 - 55 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M4V 1N5.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com