Patrick Kevin Newton, 67, died of natural causes after a brief illness in San Diego on July 8, 2026. Born on Jan. 31, 1959, in Evanston, the ninth child and youngest son of the late Walter and Mary Eileen Newton, the family moved to Oak Park when he was just 7 months old.
He graduated from St. Edmund School, Oak Park and River Forest High School, and earned his degree from the University of Portland in Oregon in 1981. Following graduation, he worked as records manager in various law firms in Portland, San Diego, and Los Angeles before eventually making San Diego his home.
An avid walker and jogger who loved staying active, his true passion was swimming. Beyond his active lifestyle, he possessed a remarkable mind and a lifelong obsession with dates. He served as the family’s unofficial historian, recalling names, family events, milestones, and shared memories with an unmatched, keen sense of detail and humor.
His profound fondness for his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews was touching; he took immense joy in watching them grow and celebrating their lives. He also formed deep, enduring friendships over the years.
Patrick is survived by his loving siblings: Diane (Richard) Van Grunsven, Don, Rev. Steve CSC, Mary Pat (Ron) Hestbeck, Jerry, Mike, Sheila Slifka, and Maureen (Dave) Winfrey. His nieces and nephews, Gregory (Christianne) Van Grunsven, Michelle (Kyle Marcus) Van Grunsven, Cheryl (Thomas Fondano) Van Grunsven, Erin (Jeff) Mielke, Laura (Jordan) Nelson, Kelly (Michael) Terranova, Terry (fiancée Alexis) Newton Jr., Kristin (Julio) Ruiz, Kyle (Stephannie) Slifka, Shannon Slifka, Megan (Kyle) Michelsen, Brandon (Tori) Slifka, Kayla Winfrey, and Mara Winfrey. He is also survived by several grand-nieces and grand-nephews, all of whom will deeply miss his love, laughter, and remarkable memory.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary Eileen Newton, his brothers Terry and Tim, and his brother-in-law Steve Slifka.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Edmund Catholic Church, 188 S. Oak Park Ave, in Oak Park. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11.
Memorial donations may be made to Erna’s Roadside Farmstand, established to assist with the ongoing expenses related to Patrick’s niece, Erin, as she battles her six-year fight against lung cancer.
Details for contributing are available on: Erna’s Roadside Venmo or Erna’s Roadside Facebook.