Ernest S. Winter

Mr. Ernest S. Winter, age 104, of Westfield, NJ. passed away Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at his residence. He was born on March 11, 1902.
A Lifelong resident, son of William H. Winter, whose family came to Westfield in 1876 and whose great grandparents resided in Warren County since 1780.
He graduated from Westfield High School in 1920. In his business career of 44 years, he was associated with the Rockefeller - Ballard Insurance Group, The Merchants Fire Assurance Corp. of N.Y., and The Merchants Indemnity Corp. In 1951, he was Vice President and Secretary of all three companies as well as a Director along with Laurance S. Rockefeller of The Washington Assurance Corp. He was also listed in the "Who's Who of the Insurance and Industry".
In 1964 when the companies merged with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. of Baltimore he retired as Vice President in Charge of Agency Production for Canada and several southern and southwestern states. Mr. Winter was a member of the Insurance Society and a Director and Past President of The Underwriters Golf Association of N.Y.
Mr. Winter was a dedicated volunteer. He and his first wife, Eva Burrowes Winter drove Red Cross trucks to canteens, dropping off refreshments to soldiers during World War II.
In retirement he served as a Volunteer Officer and Board Member of the United Fund of Westfield, The United Way of Union County, and The American Red Cross, Westfield - Mountainside Chapter. Along with five county chapters he was instrumental in establishing The Union County Red Cross, Free, Transportation Program for the elderly and handicapped. He served as its chairman until it turned over to the Union County Paratransit System in 1980.
He also initiated the idea of the "personalized letter" for fundraising.
Mr. Winter received a citation from the American National Red Cross in 1983 for his many years of service and Chairmanship of the Westfield Chapter in 1972 - 1974. In 1986 The United Fund of Westfield presented Mr. Winter with an award of appreciation for his 15 years as Board Member and as the retiring secretary of The United Way of Union County he received the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award. In June of 1986 Governor Thomas H. Kean appointed him a member of the New Jersey Highway Safety Council. His other achievements include being honored with the first Westfield - Mountainside Chapter of the American Red Cross "Angel On Earth Award" in 1997 for his 82 years of community service; the Rotarian's 1992 "Humanitarian of the Year". He was also an honored 50 year member of the Masons.
His other achievements include being honored with the first Westfield/Mountainside Chapter Of The American Red Cross "Angel On Earth Award in 1997 for his 82 years of community service; the Rotarian's 1992 "Hummanitarian of he year"; the United Way of Union County's 1986 "volunteer of the year"; a 1985 "Special Appreciation Award" of the United Fund of Westfield; and he was also an honored 50 year member of the Masons.
He was a 52 year member of Baltusrol Golf Club of Springfield.
He was also a member of The Drug and Chemical Club of N.Y. , the mens Committee of Japan International Christian University Foundation, and lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Westfield and served on their Board and Finance Committee for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Jacquelin (Engel) Winter to whom he was married for 28 years..
Memorial Services will be at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, One East Broad Street, at 11 AM on Friday, January 5th, 2007 with Pastor Ed Carll officiating. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, the Westfield Red Cross, or the Westfield United Way.
Arrangements are by the Gray Funeral Home 318 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ