| Harry G. Newnam |
HARRY G. NEWNAM (Age 96)
Passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday morning, January 7, 2015.
Born October 13, 1918 in Washington, D.C., the youngest child of Lottie Nina Miller
Newnam and Thomas Peyton Newnam, Sr.
He graduated from Eastern High School (1936) and received a Bachelor of
Science Degree from Wilson Teachers College in 1940.
He taught math and science at Washington and Lee High School, then served briefly
as an Air Traffic Controller at Washington National Airport. In 1942 He moved to
Florida where he taught meteorology at Embrey Riddle School of Aviation in Arcadia.
He later moved to Lafayette, IN, and was employed by Purdue Aeronautics
Corporation as a ground school instructor. In 1943 he joined the Navy, was
commissioned an Ensign, became a Navigator and flew in PBY's in the Pacific arena
from 1943 to 1947.
He returned to Washington, D.C. and In 1949 opened his first dry cleaning plant and
store, Newnam & Lunson, on Lebaum Street in southeast Washington. He introduced
self-serve dry cleaning machines to the Washington, D.C. area, by offering them to
his customers.
In May 1965 Harry married his long time sweetheart, "Honey". They moved to Silver
Hill, MD, where he owned and managed Silver Hill Cleaners on Old Silver Hill Rd. He
sold the store in 1970. Harry and Honey had a great many retirement years together.
Harry had an incredible smile, an infectious laugh and a hardy "joie de vivre". He
loved parties and family gatherings. He loved to dance and everyone delighted in
watching Honey and Harry glide across the dance floor.
Since "Honey's" passing in 2000, Harry has been living with his daughter, Nancy, in
Virginia Beach, Va. A cruise now and then, a little ballroom dancing, and some good
times with family and friends added spice to a life that had already been blessedly
long and full of zest.
Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude Dorr "Honey" Newnam, his sister,
Dorothy Collins (Newnam) Farran, and three brothers, Thomas Peyton Newnam, Jr.,
William Gilmore Newnam, and Alonzo Richmond Newnam.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Nancy Marie (Sweitzer) Graham of
Virginia Beach and many nieces and nephews.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, a graveside prayer service will be conducted at
10:00am with Military Honors, at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road,
Clinton, MD 20735. Arrangements are by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Kempsville
Chapel, Virginia Beach, Va.
Funeral Home
Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home & Crematory - Kempsville Chapel
1485 Kempsville Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 495-7727
