Dedicated Husband, Father, Brother, friend and mentor
Steven “Steve” Wayne Winkler, Sr, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 1:15am surrounded by his loving family. He was a loving and devoted best friend and husband of 50 years to Betsy (Reynolds) Winkler. Born July 9th, 1948 in Boston, Steve was the son of the late F. Wayne and F. Audrey (Lambert) Winkler. He attended Medford public schools class of ‘67, Lowell Technology Institute, OMC School of Master Mechanics and received his 100-ton Near Coastal Master, Captains License from the USCG.
Steve was the definition of a hard worker and took pride in everything he did from building boats to cooking soup. He dedicated his life to teaching, learning and service to others and was well respected by everyone he encountered. Honesty, Integrity and Work Ethic were his core values and he lived them with conviction. He was the President, Franchise Owner and Captain of Sea Tow Boston for 29 years. Prior to that he was the President of Duplin Marine, Inc for 12 years and General Manager of Community Boating, Inc for 9 years.
Steve’s passions in life included reading, boating, golfing with his buddies (north and south), spending time with his grandchildren Jake (19), Jeremy (5), Phoenix (26), Michaela (23), his fur babies, Jack and Brady, but above all else, Steve loved to live his life of service to others.
In addition to his long-time love, Betsy, whom he met on a blind double date back in 1970, Steve is survived by his son, Steven Winkler Jr, daughter-in-law Kim Ramsey-Winkler, granddaughters, Amy (Pheonix) Ramsey, Michaela Ramsey, son, Jonathan Winkler, daughter-in-law Sandra (Liden) Winkler, granddaughter, Sage Winkler, grandson, Kai Winkler, daughter, Jennifer (Winkler) Forgione Riley, son-in-law James Riley, grandsons, Jake Forgione and Jeremy Riley, brother, Daniel Winkler, brother and best friend, David Winkler, sister-in-law, Amy Parsons, sister Ellen LeBrun, several nieces and nephews, and many, many good friends and colleagues.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury on Thursday, July 22nd from 3-7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Steve’s name to The Sea Tow Foundation for Boating Safety and Education (https://www.boatingsafety.com/donations/) and we ask that everyone, who can, to please consider donating blood and blood products to the American Red Cross (https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html).