Goodbye to Geoff Newby

Geoff Newby

Industry veteran Geoff Newby, owner and director of Birmingham based Newby Automatics, passed away on June 1, aged 86.

Born in 1937, he built his machine supply business during the 1960s, incorporating it as a limited company in 1972.

In that time, Geoff Newby had broadened the reach of the business working with the pub and club sectors for over half a century, and building a reputation for training his engineers to the highest of standards.

During the 1970s Geoff Newby played a key role in bacta activities and for many years represented the interests of his regional colleagues with vigour as chairman of the bacta Midlands Region.

Whilst in office, he struck up a life-lasting friendship with George Woolley, Treasurer of the regional group, and, as one industry colleague noted, they “were a greatly respected bacta double act” throughout the decade.

With the industry just weeks away from the 2023 Bacta Ball, there will be a special reference point: Newby and Woolley organised the first Bacta Ball in The Salamus Greek Restaurant in Birmingham. 

Described as “one of the Midlands’ pioneers of single site operating”, Geoff Newby was highly regarded and respected, notably for his ability to work alongside and support his fellow operators. “He respected other people’s good times,” one industry colleague paid tribute.

His wife June and son Chris confirmed that Geoff Newby’s funeral will be held on July 11. 

Memories from Geoff's grandson Kyle

Geoff was in the gambling business for over 53 years and it is something he held close to his heart. He started out in his early career as an electrician before starting Newby Automatics in the 1970’s with his wife June and business partner Steve. At the beginning the company was run out of a little office in Slade Road as Moor Lane was in the process of being built, the family still have a picture of the factory standing alone on Moor Lane, before everything was built during the 1970’s and beyond. 
 
Geoff put his sweat, blood and tears in to the company. He started off by going in at 5am in the morning and coming home past midnight. He was a workaholic and loved what he did. He showed the family what real, hard work and dedication is. He always said you want something; you have to build and get it for yourself. However, that never stopped him from putting family first always and providing everything we could ever dream of. Whenever you needed him, he was there or if you needed some of his money, he used to joke he didn’t have it but whatever you wanted he was more than happy to provide. He worked, not only for the love of the game, but to also provide a happy, care free life for his wife & family. Geoff managed to build the company up and retired his wife not long after the company entered the office at Moor Lane, where the firm still resides today. He said he retired his wife to give her the life she deserved but also so their only child, Chris could be brought up with a parent always at home. Geoff had two priorities in life - Family & Work. After that it was beers, pubs and the golf course. 
 
Geoff had many opportunities to take the money the business was worth and run to the golf course, sipping on a pint but he chose to stay and work until he couldn’t anymore. Geoff used to always say “ What is the point in retiring, I love what I do” - which were some of his final words to his youngest grandson. Geoff was still calling the office every day from the hospital bed, making sure everything was being done how he wanted. Right up until his health really deteriorated in the final month, he was calling the office and this just showed his mentality - The hard work never stops, you may have achieved your dreams but when you want to provide for your Wife; Son, 4 Grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren you have to do what is necessary and more. Geoff instilled that into his family and they hope they can make him proud by finishing off the empire that he started. 

with Steve Farrow in the early days

The company had machines in clubs all around the West Midlands. Even Villa Park back in the day; as a family of Villa Fans we cannot believe our Grandad used to do business with people like Sir Doug Ellis! Geoff achieved his dreams, had a network of associates, business partners and friends who he loved dearly. None of that would have occurred if he didn’t dedicate his life to the gambling business. 
 
Geoff was known as a gentleman in the business and always put his customers and associates first. As long as they were happy; he was happy. A happy customer, is a returning and paying customer he always said. Locally he had a special network of people with whom he did business with and he appreciated every single one.
 
The family appreciate all the well wishes and kind hearted messages from business associates and friends of Geoff’s and would like to thank you on behalf of our Grandad. Thank you, for doing business with us throughout the years and we hope to continue with the company in the future. We hope to provide you with the same care, attention and satisfactory business you received from Geoff and the entire Newby Automatics team. 
 
On behalf of the family; rest in peace Husband; Dad & Grandad, we will always love you. 
 
We hope to see you at the funeral in July."
 

Making a donation to the bacta bikers

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21 June 2023

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