'We always had happy times': Brockton World War II veteran James W. Newell dies at 97

BROCKTON − In 1944 and 1945, James W. Newell served under Gen. George Patton as a private in the U.S. Army's 76th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and many other battles along the way during his 400-mile trek throughout Europe.

He was just 18 years old when he was sent to Europe to fight, leaving behind his new wife, Margaret.

Newell died on April 7, 2023, at St. Joseph Manor Health Care in Brockton, at the age of 97. He was the husband of the late Margaret M. (McCormack) Newell, who died in 2006 at age 79. They were married for 63 years and had seven children.

Newell was born, raised and educated in Brockton, a son of the late Guy and Mildred (O’Connell) (Newell) Tucker.

He and his wife, Margaret, lived in Brockton for more than 70 years, before moving to West Bridgewater.

For many years, Newell worked in the shoe factories in Brockton. He later worked in various departments for the City of Brockton, including the water department and at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

He also worked as a painter and a wallpaper installer and as custodian of the Statehouse Building at the Brockton Fairgrounds.

“He always had jobs and side jobs, always trying to support his wife and seven kids,” his daughter, Kathy Asiaf, of Bridgewater, said. “He always had more than one job at a time to support his family.”

While getting the Statehouse Building ready for the fair, Asiaf remembers that her father would paint the floors every night after all the traffic went through so they’d be perfect, and that he the kept the lawn "meticulous."

"Us kids, growing up, my mom would pack a lunch and we’d visit dad at the Statehouse Building," Asiaf said. "We'd have our bathing suits on and run through the sprinklers and have a picnic on the lawn as my dad worked caring for the property. That was our summer activity. Our own little time with our dad."

“We always had happy times no matter what,” she said.

Newell was a World War II history buff, but he didn’t talk about the war until his wife passed away.

"He never talked about the war when we were kids, we never knew what he really did," Asiaf said. "We knew he had a lot of medals, but he kept them hidden away in a drawer.”

After her mother's death, Asiaf said "he couldn’t stop talking about the war."

"I think he was afraid he would pass away and no one would know his story," she said.

At age 90, Newell was feted in a ceremony in 2016 at the Residence of France outside Harvard Square, where he was formally awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest distinction given by the French government. He was appointed a "Chevalier" of the Legion of Honor by French President François Hollande when he received the medal along with a letter from the French Consulate.

"I'm very happy," Newell told The Enterprise in 2015. "For what I did, I think I deserve it."

During the war, he had a highly decorated combat record, earning four Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his valor under fire. His daughter said he reached the rank of sergeant.

Newell told The Enterprise in 2010 that on one occasion during the war, he saw his best friend get shot and go down. Newell dove through enemy fire to rescue his friend, but in the process was hit in the leg and neck by enemy fire. He wore a brace on his leg because of that injury.

On another occasion, Newell was hit and knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he was beneath a pile of bodies with two German soldiers wearing Army uniforms standing over him. He was able to capture the Germans and made them return him to his outfit.

"I never talked about it for a long time," Newell said. "You don't want to talk about something like that. You want to forget about it."

"In spite of it all, he was always a jokester," Asiaf said. "He pulled pranks, teased the grandchildren constantly, and was kind of like a wise guy."

All his nieces and nephews loved him because he always had funny stories to tell them, she said.

"Everybody knew him for his infectious laugh," Asiaf said.

Newell loved going to yard sales and shopping at the Dollar Tree store.

His two favorite restaurants were Alexander’s in Brockton and Good Days in West Bridgewater.

"He had many friends at Good Days Restaurant and would bring all the waitresses little presents, and hand out mints to the customers there," Asiaf said. "He was there every day for breakfast. The owners would make special carrot cakes just for him to take home − cakes that were not on the menu."

Classrooms at the Central Elementary School in East Bridgewater created Valentine's cards that Newell would help deliver to the veterans at the Brockton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

He was once honored to be the grand marshall in West Bridgewater for its Tri-Town Veterans Day Parade.

But his happiest times were spent in the company of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and sharing his favorite meal, franks and beans and apple pie, his daughter said.

Newell was the father of Katherine Asiaf, of Bridgewater, Patricia Boyle, of Bridgewater, James F. Newell, of East Bridgewater, Cheryl Whittemore, of East Taunton, Maryellen Currie, of Bridgewater, Daniel Newell, of Brockton and the late Kevin F. Newell.

He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late John, William and Francis Newell, Dina Piasecki and Helen Colombo.

He will rest alongside his wife at Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today. 

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton World War II veteran James W. Newell dies at 97