08/10/2026
On August 4th I was informed that one of our customers had passed. It is 6 days later and it is hard to put into words what to say. That was his job. He was a poet and a former English teacher. He knew my customers although he didn't meet them and they knew him. I just had to share his awesomeness with the world.
Michael L. Newell was aka "Treasure Coast Newell", a name he gave himself because he felt like he was such a big part of our , & "The Fat Man" which is how he would introduce himself when he called, passed away in his sleep on July 31st, 2026. When we first started transporting him many years ago he didn't use a cane but a really awesome walking stick. He always had a story to share about his adventures as a teacher that taught all around the world. He name dropped countries he taught in like some people name drop famous people they know and you couldn't help but be impressed. Uzbekistan, Abu Dhabi, Rwanda.
He was generous. Always tipped well. Loved chocolate & bread pudding. Rocky's Sub Shop would make the bread pudding for him but he would always say "really good but not as good as my moms." Everytime I went to pick him up he had a new poem or two that he had just written. He published many poetry books over the years and he would give them out freely. The Midnight Dreary sold some of his poetry books and he was so tickled by it.
He was an actor at one time & every so often it would peek through. Yes he would get dramatic even bursting into known songs or one he would make up. He introduced me to Malvina Reynold, "Little Boxes". He loved to tell the story about him practicing for a play and his little brother started singing the songs in school and his teacher got worried because it had to do with death. He found the humor in life.
The one and only picture I have of Mr. Newell is from last year. He didn't like umbrellas nor photographs. I've had so many people pass away this year that I told him that he wasn't allowed to die this year to wait until next year so I could get a break. Well, he didn't listen to me and I can just hear him saying, "Nobody listens to what I say. They think they know what's best for me." That would be in reference to the fact that he told me about 3 years ago that he wasn't going to live past 80. He was right.
His ability to tell a story along with his voice was so good that I often told him that he should have his own podcast or tiktok , which he did not believe in. He would dismiss me as if I was crazy for thinking so.
Mr. Newell will be greatly missed by our family. He truly was an amazing person.
Our condolences goes out to his family whom he greatly loved and thought the world of.
In Memoriam: Michael L. Newell, 1945 – 2026 – Jerry Jazz Musician https://share.google/DCBMGGJ40XVnAlbCj
