Cornelius H. Newton

Cornelius “Neil” H. Newton, of Albion, passed away on March 10, 2020 in the Martin Linsin Hospice Residence.

Neil was born on March 1, 1937 in Rochester, the son of the late Cornelius and Mary (Stack) Newton. He graduated from Albion Central High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962 as an SP4. He graduated from RIT with an industrial management degree, and he retired from 3M Corporation after more than 38 years of service.

Neil truly enjoyed his gardening, fishing, hunting and trapping, and he devoted a lifetime of contributions to conservation and outdoor sports. He was a member of the Region 8 Fish and Wildlife Management Board for 20 years. He was active in many organizations. He was past president and member of the Finger Lakes Conservation Council for 35 years, and he was a delegate for the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs for more than 30 years and was active in the organization for 63 years. He was a member of the Black North Rod and Gun Club, the St. Mary’s Archery Club, the Albion Fire Department, the NYS Walleye Association, Orleans Veterans, the Crown Victoria Association, a life member of the WNY Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Neil was a hunter safety instructor who served on the Hunter Education Committee for several years. He was a co-founder of the D.E.C. Walleye Cooperation rearing project and made the necessary arrangements for the project, including securing the essential permits, being a driving force in getting improvements to the boat ramp at Lake Alice, being involved with rearing and stocking the walleye fingerlings, and working with the D.E.C. to secure use and upgrades to the pond for raising the walleye fingerlings. He also took the lead in getting centerfire rifle hunting allowed in Orleans County. Neil was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame in April of 2018.

Mr. Newton was predeceased by his brother, John of Wales, Mass.; brother-in-law, Raymond Bruski of Rochester; and son-in-law, Mark Surdi of Greece.

Neil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy; son, Donald (Dawn) of West Henrietta; daughters, Donna Surdi of Greece and Linda Anderson of Geneseo; grandchildren, Tyler, Garett and Hanna Surdi as well as Alita and Zachary Anderson; his sisters, Betty (Kenneth) Rush and Rita (Richard) Soule of Waterport, and Janet (Thomas) Goulet of Lake Worth, Fla.; brother, David (Sue) Newton of Albion; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., 21 West Ave., Albion, on Sun., March 15 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Mon., March 16 at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph’s Church, 106 S. Main St., Albion, followed by interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion NY 14411; or to a charity of your choice.

To share a special memory of Neil, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.