Edward C. Newman

Newman, Edward C. "Ed" 87, of Clearwater, passed away March 17, at Bay Pines VA Health Hospital. Born in and raised in the suburbs Chicago,IL Ed has always been a boating and fishing enthusiast. During WWII he was in the Army and served in the Pacific Theatre during campaigns to retake the Marshall and Philippine islands. He was aboard the U.S.S. Missouri for the famous singing of "Instrument of Surrender" on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government, officially ending the Pacific War. The ceremony lasted twenty three minutes and was broadcast around the world. After the surrender he was assigned to Tokyo as part of the Allied occupation of Japan. After serving in the Army Ed was anxious to move on with his life and career and returned to his hometown of Chicago. He worked in the car sales business and quickly became the chief finance accountant and finance comptroller. In 1973 he moved to Clearwater. He was initially self employed and then spent eleven years working as a finance comptroller at an electronics school in Tampa. Ed and his wife Audrey took seamanship classes at the Clearwater Sail and Power Squadron and joined it in 1974. Ed was very active and worked his way up through the ranks and grades and held each position on the bridge. He was the squadron's commander from 1989 to 1990. He was involved with District 22 and served as a member on the District Conference Committee for the Florida area. He became chairman of many departments and earned 28 of his 32 merit marks for these District Conference meetings and was a lifetime member. He is survived by his wife Audrey; daughters Gail (Franklin) Ward , Sue Newman , Barbara (Dan) Brown , Karen (John) McComb , Lenora (Martin) Perez and Diane (Joseph) Owens and a sister Ruth (Edward) Breliant . There will be a gathering on March 22 2:00 to 3:00 followed by a service at 3:00 at ALife Tribute Largo. Following this service there will be a memorial service at the Chapel on the Hill in Seminole at 5:00.