Thomas Eric Newell

Thomas Eric Newell, age 59, died at Magruder Hospital, Port Clinton on February 3, 2025 after living with Down Syndrome, and a long battle with Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Eric, the son of Thomas and Marjorie (Cottle) Newell was born in Cleveland on August 20, 1965 and he attended preschool and Miles Park Elementary School in Cleveland until 1975. They then moved to their cottage in Channel Grove on the Marblehead Peninsula where he had spent every summer. He attended Danbury Schools until he was in the 9th grade and then he went to school at Riverview Industries and continued to work at RVI as an adult. He received the “Best Worker” award at RVI several times. He even worked outside of the workshop detailing cars and cleaning offices with supervision from job coaches. He enjoyed his friends and the staff at RVI. He loved bowling and playing Uno. He participated in the Special Olympics at The Ohio State University. He loved to travel with his parents and his favorite place int the world was Cedar Point.

After his parents died, he continued living at his childhood home under the care of employees from STEPS (Supports to Enhance Personal Skills), a Supported Living Provider Agency in Fremont. He had many wonderful caregivers over the past 13 years who managed his house, meals and diabetes. For the first time, he lived HIS life with his own friends and was treated like family by his caregivers. This could not have been possible without these two agencies and many good people over the years from Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Ottawa County Job and Family Services and the patient bus drivers from Ottawa County Transportation Agency (OCTA).

Eric was preceded in death by his parents and niece, Holly Halblaub. He is survived by his sisters: Lyn (James) Donahue of Maine, Lorrie (Scott) Halblaub of Marblehead, two nieces, one nephew and four great-nieces.

The family would like to thank all of the people who helped Eric over the years, especially, RVI, STEPS, Magruder Hospital and Dr. Steven Jackson. Eric was well taken care of and well loved by many.

After cremation, visitation will be held Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. Private family interment will be in Sackett Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, 480 W. Dussel Drive, Suite 150, Maumee, OH 43537. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckcrcrosserpriesman.com .