George B. Winther, 92, of Mystic died Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at his home. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Helen Jean Winther.
He was born on June 30, 1927 in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Einar Froyland and Emma (Kastner) Winther.
George grew up in East Hartford, where he attended Woodland Elementary school, and was a graduate of East Hartford High School.
He married Jean Winther on April 19, 1952 at St. Mary's Church in East Hartford. They made their home and raised their family in the same East Hartford neighborhood where Jean grew up, where he focused on caring and providing for his family. George worked as a heavy equipment operator for his father-in-law for many years in his construction business, James E. Davin & Sons. He later successfully partnered with Richard Mellen of East Hartford to establish Mellen Marine, a retail marine dealership and repair shop in South Windsor. George realized a life-long dream of owning his own business in the late ‘70s when he started George B. Winther Yacht Services in Mystic. He was a fixture on the Connecticut and Rhode Island shorelines, where he created a niche business of compass adjusting and repair. He retired at age 90 after successfully running his business for nearly 4 decades.
George loved boating and took great pride in teaching his children to handle all forms of watercraft. Sailing was his favorite pastime and on most weekends, he was on the water with his family or in the boatyard with his children taking care of his sailboat. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed accompanying Jean to the Mystic Library to pick up the latest Tom Clancy novel. He had a great sense of humor, and told the most wonderful stories to anyone who would listen. George never met a stranger – everyone quickly became a friend.
George is survived by his son, Eric and his wife Doree Winther of Florida; his daughter, Deborah Winther of Massachusetts; his granddaughter Kate (Riopelle) and her husband Yunior Andujar of Massachusetts; his grandson William (Billy) Riopelle of Massachusetts, and his beloved great-grandson, Leo Andujar of Massachusetts. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families, whom he had a great fondness for.
He is predeceased by his mother and father, Einar Froyland and Emma (Kastner)Winther, and his brothers, Russell and Ronald Winther.
Burial will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hartford Health Care at Home Hospice Care in George’s memory would be appreciated.
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