Noel Newman

Noel Newman, 82, of Fairfield, Conn., died Saturday May 3, 2014 at home surrounded by his family. An honorable and righteous man, his quiet leadership touched so many lives. His compassion, humility, and devotion to God, family, and community left the world a better place. Born in New York City and raised in Waterbury, Conn., he was a son of the late Bernard and Gertrude Newman. He graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School and was married to Nancy (Wasserman) Newman for over 60 years. Upon graduation from law school in 1956, he joined Mellitz, Krentzman & Hall, becoming a partner in that firm and its successor firms until his death. He served as Fairfield Town attorney for 12 years and was past president of both Congregation Beth El in Fairfield and the Fairfield Parent Teacher Organization. Newman served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Home for the Elderly and the Jewish Federation of Greater Bridgeport. He was admitted to all Connecticut state courts, as well as the U.S. District Court for Connecticut and the U.S. Supreme Court.  He was appointed as Superior Court attorney trial referee by the chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Connecticut Bar and of the Litigation Committee of the Greater Bridgeport Bar. He also served as a faculty member of the Trial Advocacy Institute and as a special master in assisting both federal and state courts in achieving settlements of civil cases. Newman was active in town government, serving as chairman of the Fairfield Democratic Town Committee, and as a member of the Representative Town Committee, Board of Finance, Ethics Commission, Charter Revision Commission, Sewer Commission and Mill Hill School Building Committee. He was the beloved patriarch of an extended family including his wife Nancy, his children and their spouses: Jeffrey and Lisa Newman of Fairfield, Terry Newman and David Rubin of Stamford, and Valerie Newman and Dave Woessner of Trumbull; and six grandchildren, Stephanie and Michael Newman, Hannah and Leah Rubin, and Ben and Katie Woessner. He is also survived by his brother, Herbert Newman (Edna) of Woodbrige, his sister Marilyn Newman of Wayland, Mass.; and his sister-in-law, June Fisk of Dallas. The funeral took place at Congregation Beth El in Fairfield, Conn. on Monday, May 5 p.m. The family will continue shiva on Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. in the the Ridge Room at Stone Ridge Condominium, 50 Stone Ridge Way in Fairfield, across from the Fairfield Metro train station. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Congregation Beth El. GREENS FUNERAL HOME