1930 – 2018
Woodstock – John W. Winstanley, 88, of Lyon Hill Rd., passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the middle son of three, of the late Arthur and Catherine (Murphy) Winstanley. He was predeceased by his brothers, Arthur and Bernard.
Mr. Winstanley was a United States Army veteran who proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was the English Department Coordinator and teacher for Elmont Memorial High School in New York City for many years. Formerly a resident of Brooklyn, NY, he retired to Woodstock in 1985 where he did volunteer work for the New Roxbury Land Trust, Woodstock Garden Club, Woodstock Historical Society, PARTS and the Woodstock Theft Detecting Society. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, art and literature. He was a very cultured man. John will be remembered by many for hosting the annual, “Thanksgiving in the Woods” celebration, a long-standing Thanksgiving Day tradition among many families, at which he and his partner in life, Jack Mona, presided.
John is survived by many relatives and friends, including his nephew(s), Bernard Winstanley and Ken Miller; his nieces, Catherine Miller, Ellie Ricci, and Alice Winstanley; his great-niece and Godchild, Leighla Jaymes Kelly; and his close friends Penny & David Foisey. He was predeceased by his partner of 60 years, John E. “Jack” Mona.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial for John at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday July 7, 2018 in Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret Rd, Pomfret, CT. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, CT. Memorial donations may be made to New Roxbury Land Trust, P.O. Box 98, Woodstock, CT 06281. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Maureen Miller
He was a great person to talk with. Recently met Jack and enjoyed being in his company. Sorry to see him leave this world.
Angela Winstanley
I’m so sorry to hear of Uncle Jack’s passing. He will be fondly remembered. I especially remember him teaching me to write with my feet on a visit to England , when i was four or five.
Greg Mona
John was a wonderful, dear man. He had a ready smile and was a true gentleman. I have many fond memories of him all throughout my childhood and adult life. I will miss chatting with him and in general. Heaven received a great addition with John!
bernice harmyk
john was a delightful man. a quick wit and smile. he was a good friend to those that knew him. i trust the good lord will say welcome and join the team.
Denise Riggs
I am very sorry for your loss
I remember Jack from when he visited England in about 1972, he stayed with Uncle Bill & Auntie Gert (Wilfred Alexander & Gertrude Annie Winstanley brother and sister) in Southsea Bill brought Jack through to Southampton to meet us when we were running a Pub in Southampton.
Neil and Jeanette Winstanley
We remember Uncle Jack fondly. So privileged to have stayed with him when our son Lewis Winstanley was a toddler. We wish we could have been at his remembrance but we were traveling between Texas and Florida. Hope it all goes well and lots of love.
Jeanne Garabrant
John, was our neighbor reliable friend for thirty two years, and from his perch @ Upper Brook Farm, we always felt his presence overseeing us all. I say “all”, because there were six of us here, my husband Gary and I, and our four daughters, who had a bit of a hike to the bus stop, which was out of our view , but not our neighbors house. This made it feel safer somehow. John was the epitome of a gentleman, cultured, educated, who loved a lively informed debate on local issues, and was not afraid to stand up @ a town meeting and voice his concerns. He had a dry wit, and humor, but above all else was a humble man. He practiced his religion, and was an example to our daughters @ Holy Trinity, when it would have been easier to stay @ home and read the New York Times on a Sunday morning with his soulmate John. We feel blessed in so many ways to have shared Lyon Hill Road with such a fabulous person.
We will dearly miss you John.
Alan & Maureen Winstanley
We had such amazing times with John always know to us as Jack when he stayed with us on his many visits to UK and our subsequent visits to Conn. We love you Jack and look forward to seeing you again in the next life. Our condolences to his close friends and family.
Alice Winstanley
Sadly, I did not know my Uncle John well, we met just twice in my life that I remember and corresponded a few times. What I did know of him was that he was a lovely and kind man and reading the above, it seems he was quite a bit similar to my father, Arthur, whom I miss dearly. I don’t know what the afterlife holds, but do hope that they reunite and are a peace.
Anne E. Winstanley
Dear Uncle John,
I just read some wonderful things about you. Some I remember you writing me about, others Pop had mentioned to me. He would talk about the times you would walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to get stamps for your collections. Things like that. Then I have my own memories that began when I was quite young. Then life, being what it is, separates people. Then again, life being what it is, brought us all back together again, oh so many years later, because we’re more then people, we’re family. As I kept reading I realized that same quality, that same charisma, that gentle humor, and we all know that smile, was always second nature to you. You gave it so willingly. It is that essence of you that we get to keep.
So this is my thank you letter Uncle John. I will treasure your cards and letters, photographs and cherished memory. I love you.
Anne
P.S. Write with your feet? You only taught me the funny thumb thing. Not as impressive.
Gwyneth Tillen
Ron and I were very sorry to hear that John had passed away. Such an impressive gentleman with great deportment who was a valuable member of LiR at QVCC. Those wonderful Thanksgivings in the Woods, what a wonderful tradition he and Jack started. John will be greatly missed. Our sympathy to his family and friends.
Cindy Sebrell and Jeff Cipolla
We are so sad to learn belatedly of John’s passing. What a wonderful man he was – a real gem in every way. We have fond memories of dinner parties with Jack and John that lasted well into the night. Great company and conversation always. We will miss John very much. The world is a lesser place without him.