Obituary of Russ Benson Winters

Russ B. Winters (Buddy) of Wappingers Falls entered into rest Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. He was 85. Son of the late Russell H. and Frances A. VanCott Winters, he was born on August 30, 1927 in Franklin, New Jersey. He married the love of his life, Edna Cecchini on July 21, 1951 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie; Mrs. Winters survives at home in Wappingers Falls. Mr. Winters was a graduate of New York Military Academy. He went on to serve his country overseas in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and was honorably discharged. After his military service, Buddy attended and graduated from the College of Aeronautics (currently the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology) in Long Island. He then worked as an electrical engineer for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation for 36 years until his retirement in 1988. In his spare time, Buddy enjoyed sailing, skiing, hiking and anything that kept him outdoors. He was an avid reader, a talented artist and lover of jazz and classical music. He was also a hobby carpenter; he even built the house his family shared together for the last 55 years, as well as a sailboat the family enjoyed for many years on the Hudson River. Mr. Winters was a very active member of the Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers Falls. In addition to his wife, Edna of over 60 years, he is survived by his sons, David R. Winters and his fiancé, Annie Brazell of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Glen C. Winters and his companion, Pattie Watts of North East, Maryland; a very special niece, Joanne Cecchini and her husband, Joel Zucco, and their children, Dana and Devin Zucco, of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Ann Reynolds. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Zion Episcopal Church, 12 Satterlee Place in Wappingers Falls; the Reverend Deborah Magdalene will preside. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Russ' name to the Zion Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.