Nathan Rhodes and Craig Northrop, Correctional Industries managers from SCI Huntingdon, presented SCI Smithfield Superintendent Jamey Luther a plaque in honor of Thomas "Tom" A. Newman, Correctional Industries supervisor at SCI Smithfield, who passed away on October 26, 2018, after a brief illness.
Tom began his career at SCI Huntingdon in Sept. 2004 as a corrections garment factory foreman. He transferred to SCI Smithfield in Jan. 2015 as a corrections garment factory foreman and was later promoted to corrections garment factory supervisor in Feb. 2018. Tom was always a very hard worker and had a "can-do" attitude, said Deputy Superintendent Chad Wakefield, who oversees the garment factory on grounds.
He had a positive attitude and offered words of encouragement to both staff and inmates.
Joe Kennedy, corrections foreman at SCI Smithfield who worked side-by-side with Tom every day, described him as "hard working and caring." An inmate at SCI Smithfield described Tom as "patient and caring." Tom was known for his kind and gentle nature. You could always count on a friendly greeting when you visited or passed by the garment factory.
His true passion, however, was serving the Lord and making sure everyone he knew also knew the Lord. He was actively involved in the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Paintersville, Pa. He led Bible studies at William Penn Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and was a regular volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity. Tom leaves behind a wife, two children, nine grandchildren and three siblings. His absence has created a void in not only our facility but also in the hearts of all who knew him.