SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025
Memory Eternal! Mr. Samuel Ezra Newey
From the family of Samuel Ezra Newey
It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of an extraordinary 101-year-old man, our national treasure, and patriarch of our family.
Samuel Ezra Newey (April 10, 1924 – October 18, 2025) was a dear friend and mentor to many, a man of remarkable grace, presence, and kindness. He doted on his family and friends with joy, love, and passion. His spiritual strength and exuberance were an example for all who knew him.
Sam was a man of superb intellect, humility, and devotion to God and his church. He put faith and family first and gave generously of himself to his friends. His generosity was a keystone of his character.
Sam’s life was a remarkable adventure. He was born in Chicago to Assyrian immigrant parents, Ezra and Katherine Newey. He attended Knickerbocker Elementary School and graduated from Waller High School where he was the salutatorian of his class. He attended Northwestern University as a pre-dental student.
During World War II, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and became a combat medic with the infantry. While serving with the 28th Infantry Division in eastern France during the Battle of the Bulge, he was severely wounded. His recovery was long and painful and left him with scars for the rest of his life. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions. Following his recovery, he attended Georgetown University receiving a B.S. degree in foreign service, then an M.A. degree in political science from George Washington University’s School of Government.
Sam returned to Chicago and became a federal narcotics agent for the U.S. Treasury Department. He met the love of his life, Julienne Rahal, at a Syrian-Lebanese convention in Pittsburgh. They were married in St. Petersburg, Fla. and enjoyed life together with their loving daughter Pam. They moved to Jacksonville where Sam worked in Julienne’s family business in communications. Sam followed his interest in real estate and became one of the premier commercial real estate developers in Jacksonville for 50 years.
His family was a priority as well as his Christianity. He and Julienne were founding members of St. George Church in Jacksonville, where he also served as parish council chairman. Sam was also a member of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and a life member of The Order St. Ignatius of Antioch. He was awarded the Antonian Silver Medal of Merit and the St. Raphael Gold Medal for his devotion. He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
Sam and Julienne enjoyed traveling extensively throughout their 64 years of marriage to Europe, China, and the Middle East. He was blessed to have the loving companionship of his daughter Pamela since the passing of Julienne in 2018.
Sam was also preceded in death by his parents, Ezra and Katherine Newey; sisters Sarah Newey Benjamin and Florence Newey Meyer; and brother Simon Robert Newey. He is survived by his loving daughter Pam and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.
The Newey family deeply appreciates the Mayo Clinic for their care and kindness over the years.
Schedule of services at St. George Church of Jacksonville:
Thursday, Oct. 23: Visitation at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Trisagion Service for the Departed at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24: Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.
The burial will take place in Chicago at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the Newey family requests donations be made to the St. George Church Building Fund.
His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, His Grace Bishop Nicholas, the Board of Trustees, the clergy and the faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese express their love and sympathies to the family and friends of Sam. May his memory be eternal!
