April 30, 1939 – October 04, 2022
at the age of 83 years:
A celebration of Geoff’s life will be held on October 22nd starting at 11:30am. Space is limited at the venue during the ceremony. If you are interested in attending please email DrNewell83@gmail.com with your first and last name and the number of guests that would like to attend.
Philip Geoffrey Newell passed away peacefully at his home on October 4th, 2022 at the age of 83. Geoff is survived by Bärbel, with whom he was happily married to for 59 years. He is also survived by his three loving children Nick (Jan), Heidi (Lance) and Andrew (Veronique) as well as his four grandchildren Victor, Kimberly, Miranda and Blake.
Geoff was born on April 30th, 1939 to Tom and Dorothy Newell in Liverpool, England. After graduating from Ormskirk Grammar School, he entered the School of Medicine at the University of Liverpool and earned his medical licence in 1962. Geoff met Bärbel while she was visiting a friend in England and they married the next year on February 8th, 1963. The couple emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta on January 31st, 1965 before finally settling in Salmon Arm in 1968. Geoff held a medical practice in the community for 43 years before retiring in 2011.
Geoff was an avid and accomplished sportsman. He played many sports in his youth including rugby and cricket before discovering his passion for the game of golf. Geoff was a skilled amateur golfer and won numerous tournaments in the area as well as enjoying the game recreationally with his family and many friends. Geoff was also a professional photographer. He specialized in sports photography, often contributing his photos of horse-riding competitions and junior hockey games to the local newspapers. Geoff was also very active in the community including billeting junior hockey players and volunteering as the local junior hockey team’s medical doctor. Notably, Geoff also started the local drug and alcohol program that eventually became the model for BC’s government program.
Geoff had a wonderful sense of humour often entertaining friends and family with limericks and songs that he learned in his youth. He will be remembered as caring and humble, intelligent and thoughtful, and always generously helping others. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the community.
A celebration of Geoff’s life will be held on October 22nd starting at 11:30am. Space is limited at the venue during the ceremony. If you are interested in attending please email DrNewell83@gmail.com with your first and last name and the number of guests that would like to attend. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the name of Dr. Geoff Newell to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation at: Shuswaphospitalfoundation.org Phone: (250) 803-4546
There once was a bright doctor from Britain
Who married a frau with whom he was smitten
With great skill he played golf often with his wife
‘Til he sank a long putt on the last day of his life
And his heart exclaimed “my last verse has been written”
Our condolences to Geoff ‘s family. The best Dr a family could have. One with quite the sense of humor. Have missed him since he retired.
Sincere condolences to Dr. Newell’s family and friends. He was our family doctor from 1969. I am forever grateful for his kindness and compassion when I was a teen.
Bärbel: I was saddened to learn of Geoff’s passing and send my sympathy to you and the family. The notice omits one of Geoff’s attributes: he had a really good singing voice. I fondly recall very early tee times at SAGC with Geoff, Bob Mitchell, Charlie Allen and myself, playing hole #9 and Geoff and I lustily singing songs from the Mikado, much to Bob’s dismay. Not really in keeping with golf decorum but it WAS very early.
Thank you Geoff for your friendship. I always enjoyed your company.
John C. Thompson
With sympathy, thoughts and prayers Barbel, to you and the family. So sorry for your loss. Terry Mae and Harold Sinclair
Sending our love and sympathy to you Barbel & to your family
You are in our thoughts and prayers
The Manz Family, Joe, Deanne, Darcy & Debbie
Our sympathies go out to you, Barbel, and Nick, Heidi, Andrew and families. Geoff was a great golfer and an excellent doctor. He was present at the birth of our three sons and was an absolute star in one very difficult birth. For all his doctoring skills, we will be eternally grateful.
Thank you, Dr. Newell
Rob and Elisabeth Borthwick
I will miss giving Geoff a hard time but not as much as I will miss his kindness and warm smile. Such a sad loss for those of us who were lucky enough to be invited into his life with Barbel and their family. RIP dear friend.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your loss.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family during this difficult time. We will always have fond memories playing with you both on the golf course.❤❤
We offer our sincere condolences to Barbel and family
He was a true family doctor
Michel and Janet Saab
With heartfelt condolences Barbel to you and your family.
Ann, Michelle and Chris Altmeyer
Bärbel and family, our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Dr Newell was a doctor like no other, he truly cared about his patients and went above and beyond to help. As great as he was as our family physician we also considered him our friend.
We hope you can take comfort knowing how much he will be missed and all the great memories you have.
Sherry and Lorne Eliason and family
Dr Newell was my doctor from when I was a teenager. He brought my 3 children into the world. He will be missed. Golf on.
A well loved man on and off the golf course. Many fond memories.
Condolences to Barbel and family
Sad. But a great way for Geoff to fall off the perch. Wished I could have had another round of golf with him. My favourite competitor and exemplary family Doctor. Bob Munro
What a loss! Many fond memories of my favourite doctor