Franklin Ellsworth Newton

Franklin Ellsworth Newton, 78, passed away on November 11th, 2023, at Augusta Specialty Select Hospital in Augusta, Georgia shortly after being taken off life support.

As an infant, Mr. Newton was adopted by his loving parents Goldie Eloise Tasker-Newton and Franklin Theodore Newton and raised in Hollywood, Maryland. As a boy he attended St. John’s Catholic School and Leonardtown High School and always wanted to join the military. After high school, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Italy between 1963 and 1966 where he met and married his first love, Maria Devechio. Regrettably, his second marriage to Patricia Elaine Smith was inefficacious. Thereafter, Frank attained his bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland and pursued his master’s at Georgetown University. He loved history and for a brief time taught Archaeology at Frederick Community College.

Frank was a committed homemaker and loved to spend his time at home in the company of his devoted wife Margaret who stood by his side until his very last breath.

In his spare time, he enjoyed listening to classical and eclectic music, fixing things around the house, watching Korean television shows, photography, woodworking, making wind-chimes and sitting with his dog Button watching the sun set and the plants grow.

Without input, his children were challenged to develop a relationship with God; to navigate their own way in life intelligently; to create beauty and meaning from raw materials; to develop courage and strong moral fiber in the face of life’s hardships; and to aspire to lead beautiful, exciting, and dignified lives.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years Margaret Speiden Newton of Aiken, South Carolina; 2 biological daughters, Angie Newton Candido of Barletta, Italy; and Catherine Lucrezia Newton of East Hampton, New York and Scottsdale, Arizona; in addition to his adopted son Franklin Ellsworth Newton Jr. of Brewster, New York. Also surviving him are 4 brilliant biological grandchildren: Matteo, Valerio, Elena, and Olga; his sister Debbie Ann Newton-Mejia of Ridge, Maryland; brother, Donnie Newton of Valley Lee, Maryland; and sister, Stephanie Newton of Brandywine, Maryland.

In death as in life, he is deeply missed by those who love him.

He was cremated on November 15th at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home. Currently no services are planned.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC