Edwin Winner, 97, of Oxford, NY passed away on Monday, January 29, 2018. A long-long-long time ago Edwin S. Winner was born in Andes, N.Y on December 14, 1920 to the proud parents: Solomon A. Winner and Ruby Van Kleeck Winner. His family moved to Oxford in 1935. He met the love of his life Betty Ann Wackford at a basketball game at Oxford Academy School (presently known as the middle school). Betty was a cheerleader; he wanted to make it clear he was a spectator, not a player. It was love at first sight. His story was: the guys and gals went outside and chased each other around. Mom bumped into him at the little spruce in front of the school which was there at that time and it was love forever. Mom was thirteen and Dad was 16. They went together throughout their high school years and were married on September 5, 1942. They lived in various apartments but finally settled on the Winner farm which was located on Winner Road just outside of Tyner, N. Y. Everyone knows where Tyner is, right??
He was predeceased by his brothers: Harry, Elmer, Forrest, Carl. His sisters: Raelene Hoke, Frances Marble, Mable Winner, Mary Stanbro and his great-granddaughter, Brandi Estelow. Ed and Betty had six children: Daughters: Noreen Morley, husband Frank, Sammy (Edwina) Diamond, husband Richard, Lorraine Rice, husband Gary and Kimberly Ann Winner. Sons: Jan Winner, wife Paula Deabler, Tab Winner, wife Kathy Steward. Grandchildren: Toni Eppolito, Stacey Eppolito, Dena Diamond Estelow (Steven), Thad Rice (Michelle), Shanie Diamond Mack, Stephanie Rice Maricle, T. J. Winner (Danielle), Amber Schleis, Josh Washington (Christina), Jan (Washington) Szabelski Jr. (Pete), Ashley Williams(Brian), Jarid Winner and Caden Cruz…step grandchildren: Jennifer Caton (Jim), Robert Aikins (Katie), Logan Aikins (Brittany). Great-grandchildren: Shannon Ensley, Kisha, Chelsea and Stevie Estelow, Vada and Cain Mack, Damon, Karissa and Landin Maricle, Cole and Cooper Rice, Ryan and Madison Rickard, Isaiah Alcaraz, Maya Schleis, Adalynn Winner, Harper Szabelski and Jessa Washington, Great-Great grandchildren: Thomas and Audrey Ensley. Step great grandchildren, Claire Caton, Cooper Aikins. He had many nieces and nephews. He had a vast extended family which are not listed due to the space allowed but three of them he requested notation: Gary Hill, Dwight Bradt and Mickey Wheeler, and his friends at The Outpost.
Ed and his family navigated from and to many areas but settled in Oxford the year of 1935. He resided there for the rest of his long fulfilling life. He wrestled 4 years and was beaten once. He assisted Coach Clyde Cole and they had three sectional champs of which one was his brother Carl. He played high school football and semi-pro for ten years for the Y Giants of Norwich and the Sidney Cardinals. Because of Ed’s love for wrestling and persistent drive to bring it back to Oxford, wrestling became a favored sport of Oxford. He played an integral part assisting Al Doyle and Gary Hill in bringing about the first Clyde Cole tournament in 1962/63; Clyde Cole being the first person to be honored as one of the best coaches Oxford ever had.
Ed worked the farm for several years but after a fire destroyed the barn, he went to work for IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) as a journeyman lineman for 50 years. Football games under the lights were brought to Oxford Academy’s field through Ed’s motivating influence and the help of his many lineman friends.
His favorite memories were when he got married to Betty Ann Wackford, along with his love of football and the senior trip to Washington D.C. He proclaimed his religion to be, “Let your conscience always guide you”.
Ed was a member of the Oxford Legion, Oxford Rod and Gun Club and the IBEW Union. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, four wheeling, horseback riding, picking berries, gardening, and watching westerns. He loved his family!
His last words to his family “So-long, not goodbye”
The family of Edwin Winner would like to express a sincere thank you to the 2nd Floor Staff and the Administration at Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their excellent care they extended to our Dad for 3+ years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to the Oxford Wrestling Boosters, c/o Craig Tefft, Oxford Academy and Central Schools, P.O. Box 192, Oxford, NY 13830. Or to the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 88 Calvary Drive, Norwich, NY 13815.
Friends and family may call at Behe Funeral Home Inc. 21 Main Street, Oxford, NY 13830 on Monday, February 5, 2018 from 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Behe Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM with Father Thomas Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford, NY. The family wishes to invite everyone to a gathering at Fred’s Inn on Rt. 12, Norwich, NY following the burial. Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com