Gene J. Newman, a veteran pilot, flight instructor and former longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, died at his son’s home in Madera, California, on September 20. He was 91. Born to Stanley and Florence Newman on July 27, 1918, in Winona, Minnesota, Gene attended a Catholic high school, excelling in academics, drama and sports. He took flying lessons from Max Conrad through the federal government’s Civilian Pilot Training Program. After graduating from St. Mary’s College in June 1940, Gene became licensed as a commercial pilot and flight instructor and was hired to manage Max’s airport and flying school in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Late in 1941, after the airport burned down, Gene, with his college sweetheart and new bride, Betty Borzyskowski, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to teach acrobatics in a Waco UPF-7 biplane. On his days off, Gene worked on instrument flying and, in 1942, was hired by Continental Airlines to fly in the U.S. Army Cargo Division. In 1943, Gene began instructing Air Force lieutenants in CD-3s. Two years later he became a captain flying Lockeed Lodestars. Over the next 14 years he flew numerous aircraft out of El Paso, Texas. In 1959, Gene moved to Pacific Palisades to fly Boeing 707’s. From 1964 to 1970 he flew 110 military missions to Saigon, Vietnam, carrying troops and munitions. In 1970 he began flying Boeing 747s and DC10s between Los Angeles and Hawaii. When he retired in 1978, he had flown 37,500 miles. After retiring, Gene began a second career as a corporate pilot and Angel Flight pilot and instructor for more than 11 years. Gene was an accomplished softball player in high school and college and continued as a semi-pro pitcher until 1942. He took up the game again in El Paso, playing from 1949 until 1959, and in 1986 he was inducted into the El Paso Softball Hall of Fame. Throughout the years, Gene was a devout Catholic and family man. He also enjoyed fishing, bird hunting, gardening, playing cards and working on his computer. After the death of his first wife, loneliness set in until he was reacquainted with the widow of his copilot from Vietnam days. He discovered love once again and enjoyed eight years with Erma Janczarek Newman. They married and lived in Westlake Village, playing cards, taking cruises and attending many plays and musical performances. They especially loved to visit their children and grandchildren. After moving to Madera in 2007, Gene spent time playing poker and bridge and visiting with friends at Cedar Creek Retirement Community. He will always be remembered and loved as both a gentleman and a gentle man. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; his second wife, Erma; and his brother, Paul Newman. He is survived by his daughter Susan Cee of Rapid City, South Dakota; his son, Eugene J. Newman, Jr. (wife Christine) of Madera; five grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. A Mass was held at St. Joachim Church in Madera on September 24. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Joachim’s School Scholarship Fund, 310 N. ‘I’ Street, Madera, Ca. 93637. Condolence messages may be left at www.jaychapel.com.
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