Mr. Francis G. Newton

40-year Lenox resident, innkeeper, banker, self-proclaimed expert of many things (all you had to do was ask), native New Yorker and the original "Picker", Frank Newton passed quietly early in the morning of November 10th. Leaving behind his wife of 50+ years Mary, his 2 sons Kevin and Andrew and his granddaughter Breyelle. Born October 2nd, 1936, on Kent St. in Greenpoint NY, Frank (or "Freddy" as his mother would call him) attended Padua School in Watkins Glen NY where he famously won the only fight, he ever had with David Carradine of "Kung Fu" fame, and later graduated from City College of New York. Frank served in the United States Army as a Payroll Officer where, in the most notable act of his brief military career, he issued Elvis Presley the final paycheck of his military service. Frank was no stranger to hard work and had a successful career in banking in New York. Proudly born in Brooklyn, he never forgot his beloved Greenpoint and in 1972 moved back to Kent St with Mary and Kevin (with Andrew soon to arrive) to restore the first of 3 homes, including his childhood home. With many historic Brooklyn buildings in decay and destined to be demolished Frank became the original "Picker" rescuing and "repurposing" crumbling pieces of New York architectural history to be included not only in the homes he and his family restored but many other homes on the street he lined with trees in Greenpoint. A fan of classic Hollywood movies and a true expert on the "Great American Songbook", Frank left New York to live a life he'd seen in some of his favorite movies and became an Innkeeper and Restaurateur in Lenox MA with the intention of restoring Ventford Hall. He was able to put his renovation experience to work restoring many Lenox properties including Brook Farm, The Summer White House and The Gables Inn. This was the former family home to Edith Wharton, which he lovingly restored to its former Queen Anne glory and filled with restored antiques, rare documents signed by many US Presidents and artwork spanning 5 centuries collected by him and Mary. Gregarious by nature, the Inn business suited Frank and he and Mary became friends with many of their guests and were quite well known in Lenox. Taking cues from his film heroes, he was "the best dressed guy in Lenox" and frequently gathered friends to entertain with food, music and wine. Frank loved baseball, basketball, and history. He was an avid reader. A member of the Lenox Club and a fixture at Tanglewood, he served in the Lenox Chamber of Commerce and the Historic Committee. He was known and loved by many and will be missed. The funeral mass for Mr. Francis G. Newton will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 11am at St. Ann's Church in Lenox with Monsignor John Bonzagni, officiating. There will be calling hours on Wednesday, November 17th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank's memory may be made to the Lenox Library in care of the funeral home. To share memories and stories please visit rochefuneralhome.com

Mr. Francis G. Newton

October 2, 1936 - November 10, 2021