Newmans at 988 is OPEN
Help us celebrate John's life by dining with us
Tuesday – Saturday from 5:00 p.m.
Dine In, Take Out or Deck Seating (weather permitting)
Reservations Recommended
(503) 436.1151
John Henry Newman
1964-2022
John Henry Newman, age 58, passed away suddenly in June 2022. John was born on June 19, 1964 in Glendora, California to his loving father and mother, Herald Gerald Newman and Sesame Smith.
John is survived by his cherished wife Sandy; his sisters Kelly and Mary Newman; his brothers, Matt Newman, (Shawn), Buddy Harry Gerald Newman III, and Will Moore; his sister-in-law Paula Mushrush (Russell); and extended family and friends throughout the U.S.
During his distinguished career, John achieved tremendous recognition for his culinary expertise. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York in 1990. Early on, he worked at the prestigious Silks Restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco. In 1995, John became Executive Chef for the Stephanie Inn Dining Room in Cannon Beach. Over the years, Chef Newman cooked several times at the James Beard House in New York City. John was a 4-time champion at the Tillamook County Iron Chef Black Box competition. He was also a guest chef at the 2002 Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. In 2006, in perhaps their crowning achievement, John and Sandy opened Newmans at 988, which has won many accolades and has become a landmark restaurant in the area.
John loved to teach and was a mentor to many aspiring culinary students. As the Culinary Instructor at Seaside High School, John’s students won the Oregon ProStart competition 2 years in a row sending them to Nationals. Together, he and his wife Sandy have mentored countless young people through cooking, surfing, and volunteering with a variety of organizations.
John was an avid surfer, and he rode waves with friends from Bali to Morro Bay to the East Coast, often accompanied by his dogs, most recently his beloved Remy who passed with John. He had an endless stoke and wanted everyone to experience the thrill of surfing. When we remember John, we can’t help but think of his smile. He welcomed everyone in the same way—the smile was always there.
John worked hard, was very serious about morality and had a code in life. He had a deep belief in God and His purpose. It is the loss of John’s unique spirit and caring heart that affects us so deeply, and which we will remember forever.
In lieu of flowers, a bereavement fund has been established at US Bank for Sandy, or donations may be made in John’s name to any of the following organizations: Seaside High School Scholarships (seasidescholarships.com), or Cannon Beach Christian Culinary Academy (christianchefs.org), which has a culinary scholarship in John’s name; or in Remy’s name at your local animal shelter. A surf paddle out was held during the Surf Contest in Pacific City, September 17th & 18th, 2022.
A Memorial service was held on August 15, 2022 at North Coast Family Fellowship in Seaside, followed by a Celebration of Life at Haystack Gardens in Cannon Beach. John will be laid to rest in Cayucos, California on the Central Coast with his Mother and where John and Sandy first met and started their epic love story.