ENQUIRER WEB EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Paul Newman Family Memorial.
Close family sources told The ENQUIRER that intensely private superstar Paul Newman, who died Friday after a valiant battle with lung cancer, had made one final request of his family.
"Paul didn’t want a big Hollywood style funeral," said the source. "That’s the last thing in the world he wanted. While his Hollywood pals may indeed honor him with a tribute event in the future, there was no fanfare whatsoever for his funeral."
Sources also confirmed a New York Post report published today that Newman was cremated Monday.
Only Paul’s wife Joanne Woodward, his five daughters and a few select friends attended a private service.
After the ceremony, The ENQUIRER learned exclusively that at 7 p.m., a small reception was held in his honor at The Dressing Room a restaurant Paul owned in Westport.
"The restaurant was closed to the general public so Joanne and her family could have a special meal in Paul’s honor," eyewitness ENQUIRER reporter Bob Hartlein revealed.
"They also wanted to thank Paul’s care-givers, who helped make him comfortable in recent weeks.
"Joanne, dressed simply in a dark jacket and slacks, arrived with one of her daughters, Nell. Joanne looked tired but appeared happy to visit a familiar place where she’s had so many wonderful evenings over the years with Paul."
Over the bar where Paul banged down many a can of his beloved Coors was a television that usually played a never-ending stream of Newman’s own movies.
The set was dark.
