1934 -2023
BROTHER WILLIAM WINTER, FSC
Born William John Winter, Jr. in Pittsburgh PA on 4 May 1934
Entered the Ammendale MD Novitiate on 16 June 1952
Received the Religious Habit and Name Giles Christopher on 7 September 1952
Pronounced Perpetual Vows at Ocean Rest in Ocean City NJ on 27 August 1959
Died at Red Bank Medical Center in Red Bank NJ on 15 May 2023
Words of Remembrance for Brother William
Written by Brother Colman Coogan, FSC
Delivered by Brother Charles Lackes, FSC
Mass of Christian Burial
De La Salle Hall
Lincroft, New Jersey
May 21, 2023
“The man of compassion guides and teaches his brothers and sisters with the gentle care of the Good Shepherd.”-Taken from the Mass for Teachers
Brother William (Bill) was born May 4, 1934 in the Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh, populated largely by families of German and Italian descent and where his family owned a well-established funeral service. With other neighborhood boys, Bill attended Central Catholic where he met the Christian Brothers.
Robert, Brother William’s brother, recalls how Bill from his earliest years was eager to find work wherever available but always in some form of service. He was not surprised when his brother opted to join the Christian Brothers whose example touched him profoundly. Still, the family remained important to him, visiting them whenever possible.
Brother William was well prepared for his career with degrees in religion, reading, and the culinary arts, all of which he used in his many placements. Well built in stature, a gruff countenance, and a deep voice, Brother easily commanded attention in the classroom.Many of us are known through identification with special interest; for Bill this was a lifelong fascination with classical opera. He could name any opera, identifying it by composer and soloist. Having heard these performances frequently, he loved to hum his favorite arias from memory.
Brother’s longest and last assignment was to Ammendale for twenty-four consecutive years during most of which he was its Sub Director. Reflecting on this tenure, Brother John McErlean, Director, commented on his confidence in Bill to fill in for him when necessary. It was here, too, where he assumed the role of econome for untold years planning birthdays and holiday treats. Bill is remembered for his loud, hearty laugh heard whenever humor struck.
Throughout much of his life, Brother William suffered from chronic arthritis; still, he accommodated himself to necessary adjustments without complaint. In the end, he relinquished all assignments even card playing at which he was a master.
Advanced in age and dealing with numerous health complications, Bill courageously requested Hospice Care. Ginny Mc Knew, La Salle Hall nurse, commented how, in her years, she had never met a patient so resigned to death, ready to meet God.
We must thank God for this wonderful, generous man. His resignation in the face of death is inspiring. May heaven reward him for his faith and courage.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts . . . forever!
ASSIGNMENTS
1953–1957
Elkins Park PA
La Salle College (scholasticate)
1957–1958
Canton OH
Central Catholic High School
1958–1963
Audubon PA
Saint Gabriel’s Hall
1963–1966
Canton OH
Central Catholic High School
1966–1972
Eddington PA
Saint Francis Vocational School
1972–1975
Jersey City NJ
Hudson Catholic High School
1975
Santa Fe NM
Sangre de Cristo Center (renewal – 2nd semester)
1975–1979
Jersey City NJ
Hudson Catholic High School
1979–1980
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School
1980–1993
Washington DC
Saint John’s College High School
1993–1998
Adamstown MD
Christian Brothers Spiritual Center
1998–2022
Beltsville MD
La Salle Hall (resident)
2022–2023
Lincroft NJ
De La Salle Hall (resident)
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Sunday, 21 May 2023
Funeral Mass – 11.45am
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road · Lincroft NJ 07738
Friday, 26 May 2023
Rite of Committal & Final Commendation – 9.30am
La Salle Hall Chapel
6001 Ammendale Road · Beltsville MD 20705
Interment – private
De La Salle Cemetery
6001 Ammendale Road · Beltsville MD 20705
Brother William died peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother William with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother William to God’s loving care.
† May he rest in peace. †
Bro. Bill was a lovely, committed FSC. I knew him well from my days when I made my nursing visits to Ammendale. Sometimes he would pick me up at the train station
when I no longer drove down US 95.
He was a real gentleman and we enjoyed good conversation during those rides. I was always grateful to
him for his kindness. May he now be rewarded as rests in the loving arms of his Lord.
Brother William was a good man. May he rest in peace!