Skip to content

Edmund Hunter Newman

May 31, 1951-April 22, 2013

Edmund “Ted” Hunter Newman, 61, of Cumberland, passed away suddenly at home on April 22nd 2013. While the family has been shocked and saddened by his unexpected departure, they have been overwhelmed and appreciative of the incredible support from the community who knew and respected Ted.

Ted was born in Vancouver on May 31, 1951 to parents Art and Betty Newman, and spent his childhood with siblings Kelly, Lauris, James and Sandy in Woss Logging Camp on Vancouver Island. The family moved to Courtenay when Ted was 13 and he attended Lake Trail Junior School and then Vanier High where he was a star athlete and excellent student.

After leaving high school Ted had many adventures and life experiences. He attended BCIT’s Business Administration program, worked all over BC and the Yukon for the Water Survey of Canada, travelled abroad with family and friends, and worked as a carpenter in Australia.

After settling down in Comox with his first wife, Suzanne, and their two daughters Misty and Louesa, Ted decided to return to school to pursue his goal of becoming a teacher and attended the University of British Columbia where he earned his Bachelor of Education.

After spending his first couple of years teaching at Robb Road Junior School and Vanier High, Ted took a position at Cumberland Junior school where he spent the next 25 years of his career as a committed and passionate educator. Ted was able to make connections with students in a way that inspired them to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their goals. Ted spent countless hours at the school coaching, tutoring, mentoring and supporting students and will be remembered as a master teacher.

As well as leaving his network of school families and friends, Ted leaves behind his immediate family of daughter Misty, son-in-law Doug and their daughters Annika and Freya; his daughter Louesa and son-in-law Fiacre. His beloved soul mate Sandra Klassen passed away in 2011 but her sons David and Ben Kroker, her mother Stella Klassen, brother Glen Klassen and family are all left behind to mourn.

Words cannot express how much Ted’s siblings Kelly Finlayson & husband Deane, Lauris Simonin & husband John, James Newman & wife Cathie and their families will miss their special friend, brother and uncle.

Ted will also be missed by his many cousins, nieces, nephews, his Aunt Teddy, his first wife Suzanne O’Brien, and many special friends like Mark Salter, Bob & Marg McLean, Patti Langdon and her children Emret and Becky.

Ted will be remembered as a dedicated and loving father and grandfather, an inspirational teacher, and caring friend to many.

A Celebration of Life, for family and friends, will be held on June 30th at 1pm at the Rod and Gun Club. Memorial donations may be made to the Ted Newman Bursary at Cumberland Junior School. Cheques can be made out to Cumberland Junior School with “Bursary Fund” added to the memo section and mailed to PO Box 430, 2674 Windemere Avenue, Cumberland BC V0R 1SO.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.