Roy Newton

Roy Lester Newton, Jr., “Skip”, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 30, 2017. Born in Staunton, VA., he was the son of the late Rebecca and Roy L. Newton, Sr. Skip grew up in Portsmouth and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended the Norfolk Division of The College of William and Mary, where he studied Drama and Interior Design, then served briefly in the United States Army. He moved to Richmond with the Seaboard Railroad, but returned to the Tidewater area to work with Neil Thomas Interiors. Skip was extremely talented. He was a gifted artist and painter, a designer of stained glass and a skilled upholsterer. He had an eclectic love of Theater and all types of music and was a wonderful dancer. Books were a passion to him and his library was the envy of everyone. His knowledge of design and love of nature enabled him to create his beautiful garden. The majority of his life he worked in the Restaurant business; his longest, most enjoyable and successful was with Omar’s Carriage House in Ghent. His friendship with Omar Boukhriss and the people he met through the business were some of the most treasured in his life. Skip was such an incredible people person with a magnetic personality that suited his profession perfectly. He was an inspirational mentor to many a young person and felt extraordinarily rich in his vast devoted friendships. Skip was a loving father to his four legged child, Annie. He is survived by two loving sisters: Judith Barrett Goodnough of Portsmouth- her sons, Richard Griswold, Todd Triplett; daughters Judith Napier/Rich, Diane Lee, Cindy Perkins/Alan, all of Richmond. Sister Mary Alice Gaffos of Portsmouth- daughters, Sabrina Coleman/Spencer, Andrea Osborne/Milan and many adoring nieces and nephews. Skip was a good, kind, and giving man and brother. A man of humor, grace and elegance, he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank the 5th floor Nursing Staff at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Nursing Center, Norfolk, Newtown Rd., and Sentara Hospice for their dedicated care of Skip. A celebration of Life Memorial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 12, at Loving Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice.