John Newman was born and raised in New York City. Graduating from Power Memorial Academy in 1962, he earned a BBA in marketing from Iona College (1966), a MS in accounting from Long Island University (1978), and an AS in nursing from Suffolk County Community College (2008)..
He worked for three years as a cost accountant for Manufacturers Hanover Trust and Citibank before becoming a NYC firefighter. He retired from the FDNY following 30 years of service as a firefighter and fire officer in November 2002. As a registered nurse, he has worked in medical/surgical and cardiology units in Southampton Hospital, and is currently working in Home Care. In addition, he is a Basic Life Support Instructor.
John joined the United States Marine Corps in August 1966 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in March of 1967. He served four years on active duty as an infantry officer and logistics officer, and served with the 1st Battalion 11th Marines in the Republic of Viet Nam from June 1968 through July 1969. He continued military service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and during the following 27 years he attended communications officer school and served in serveral different units and billets. He was Batalion Commander of the 6th Communications Battalion (1990 to 1992) during Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. He retired from the USMCR as a Colonel in 1997.
John currently lives in South Jamesport, N.Y., with his beautiful wife of 50 years, Patricia. They have two children and seven grandchildren. Their daughter, Meg, is a special education teacher in Virginia Beach, Va. Their son, Joe, is currently a Major in the USMCR and is employed in federal law enforcement.
John is the president of the FDNY Marine Corps Association, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council, American Legion Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Greater Jamesport Civic Association, Jamesport Vol. Fire Dept. and is a Fire Commissioner of the Jamesport Fire Department.