Obituary of Stephen J Newsom

Stephen (Jymaal) Newsom , a Vietnam Veteran, from Jacksonville, Florida died suddenly on April 5, 2020. He was the first born son of Archie and Gertrude Newsom of Boston Massachusetts and was born on October 18, 1945. Jymaal, as he was known, was proud of his accomplishments. He attended Boston Public Schools and near the end of his senior year at English High School, he made the decision to enlist in the Navy, After basic training, he became a medic and he serviced two tours of duty as a medic in Vietnam in the 1960's. Returning from Vietnam honorably and surviving the death and destruction of that war, he was convinced that it would be better to give service to the living. He attended nursing school and became the first male maternity nurse in the history of Boston City Hospital now known as Boston Medical Center. Besides attending to the new mothers and babies, Jymaal was an instructor of infant care classes for new parents at the hospital. From that uplifting experience, he later authored the guide" Dare to be Dad" for new fathers who wanted to learn how to take care of their newborns. Jymaal moved to sunny Florida in 2006 enjoying the life of a retiree. Even when he developed cancer, Jymaal stayed the course and beat that cancer, He was a cancer survivor! Unique in many ways, Jymaal will be remembered for his colorful coordinated outfits, lively conversation and outspoken editorials on world issues.He enjoyed listening to music, watching sports and westerns, and especially traveling to Boston for the annual summer Juneteenth celebrations so that he could spend time with family and friends. He will be truly missed. Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, a memorial celebration will hopefully be held in Boston later in the year. He leaves behind his sisters Diane Stafford and Debra Paul Raspberry of Massachusetts, daughter Sonja Tucker Holland of Pennsylvania, and son Jymaal Bradshaw of North Carolina along with a host of dear family and longtime friends. Everyone who knew him would agree that Brother Jymaal was " an experience". Our family is thankful for all the kind words and support we have received from around the country. We are truly appreciative of your kindness.