Sir Jack and Lady Newman and Mr Ross Newman cutting the Centennial cake of the Newman Brothers Group of Companies. The Company celebrated one hundred years in the transport industry with a weekend of celebrations in Nelson. Jack Newman received a knighthood in 1977 and retired as Chairman and Director of the company in 1980 and became the Founder President of the Group. Sir Jack died in September 1996 at the age of 94. Ross Newman retired as a Director in November 1981 and died in March of 2002 at the age of 91.