Sherwin S. Newar

Sherwin Newar, 98, died peacefully on January 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and caregivers. Sherwin was born to Doris and Hyman Newar in Chicago, Illinois on September 5, 1927. Although an only child, Sherwin grew up in Chicago with a tight-knit group of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family friends. Throughout his life, Sherwin was a doting son to his parents, a loving nephew to his aunts and uncles, and a fiercely loyal cousin and friend.

From an early age, Sherwin was good with numbers, a talent that would serve him well in his vocation (President of Houston-based S.A.G.E. International) and his avocations (Gin Rummy, football, and golf).

When the United States entered World War II, Sherwin was eager to serve his country. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and served on a minesweeper in the Pacific. Sherwin’s WWII service engendered a lifelong love of military – especially, naval – history, about which he read widely.

After the war, Sherwin returned to Chicago to attend college and law school on the GI Bill. In the mid-1950’s, Sherwin moved to Dallas, Texas. There, he connected with several childhood friends and together they started S.A.G.E. (which stood for “Service to All Government Employees”), one of the country’s first discount department store chains. Under Sherwin’s principled leadership, S.A.G.E. expanded and went public.

While in Dallas, Sherwin met the love of his life, Sheila Susman, on a blind date. Sherwin knew he had caught “lightning in a bottle” (as he used to say) and very quickly proposed to Sheila. Sherwin and Sheila married on November 15, 1959. Afterwards, they moved to Houston to expand S.A.G.E. and start a family, which they did with the arrivals of Adam, Scott and Allison.

Sherwin and Sheila were actively involved in Congregation Emanu El and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Sherwin was Chairman of the ADL’s Southwest region and served on its national board.

As their children began their own lives, Sherwin relished the gift of his expanding family. He looked upon Amy and Linda as daughters. In addition to his children and their spouses, Sherwin (a/k/a “Poppi”) is survived by seven adoring grandchildren: Sheila and husband Michael Wernick, Jonathan Newar and wife Ansley, Michael Newar, Seth Molina, Tali Molina, Aaron Newar, and Simone Newar, great granddaughter Elle Wernick, brother-in-law Buddy Susman and wife Pat, nephew Ari Susman and wife Paola, and niece Dawn and husband Peter DeLeef.

The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Sherwin’s longstanding caregivers: Wendy, Tina and Naomi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sherwin’s memory to the HunterSeven Foundation in support of our nation’s veterans, https://www.hunterseven.org/, Alexander Jewish Family Service, https://www.alexanderjfs.org/ or Congregation Emanu El, https://www.emanuelhouston.org/.