Harvard flyby in memory of Bob Newell

Four Harvard airplanes flew by Doug Newell’s property on Springfield Road south of Glencolin Line on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18. The multiple flybys were a tribute to Mr. Newell’s father Bob Newell who died peacefully of natural causes at age 91 at his Tillsonburg home on Oct. 10. His wife of 67 years, Dorothy, and his six children were at his side when he died. The senior Mr. Newell was active in Scouts, hunting, fishing and motorcycles. His connection to the Harvard aircraft came from his time as a flying officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He enlisted in the air force after he graduated from Tillsonburg High School in 1942 but he did not see any fighting in the Second Great War as it ended before he made it overseas. Doug Newell’s brother David also lives in the Springfield area. The senior Mr. Newell is survived by 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. The Harvard aircraft are part of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association fleet stationed out of Tillsonburg Regional Airport. About 200 family, friends and neighbours attended a celebration of Mr. Newell’s life that afternoon.