Stephen Alan Whinston

Stephen Alan Whinston (Dad, P), passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025. He was 77 years old. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 41 years, Joani Whinston (Lenett), father Alfred Whinston, mother Rose Whinston (Eisgrau), sister Donna Whinston Courtney, and niece Allison Courtney Clark, all of whom were dear to his heart.

Devoted father to Josh Whinston and his wife Liz, Stephanie Portnoy and her husband Sean, and Brian Arasim and his wife Jennifer. Devoted grandfather (“P”) to Maddie, Sam, Max, Emily (Sophia), and Sadie. Cherished brother-in-law to Roger Courtney and Scotti Guren. Uncle to beloved nieces Debby Silverman (David), Cheri Rafferty (James), Susie Nantz (Lee), Nancy Guren Palumbo (Ken), and nephews Andrew Courtney (Dominique) and Adam Courtney. Treasured friends in life were Bernie Monbouquette and Commer Glass.

Stephen had a quiet personality, but his impact on the world and his belief in repairing it (“Tikkun Olam”) were felt by generations. He was an attorney who joined the Justice Department during the Nixon administration, with a focus on fighting the mistreatment of people confined to mental institutions, jails, and other state institutions. He then moved to the Philadelphia law firm of Berger and Montague, where he spent 33 years, many as Partner, and continued his human rights work.

Notable cases included winning a $1.25 billion settlement for hundreds of Holocaust survivors against Swiss, Austrian, and German corporations; he also targeted the Talisman Energy Corporation over its campaign of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses in Sudan. His work was featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and on 60 Minutes. He was a member of the board of directors for the Disabilities Law Project and the Pennsylvania Prison Society. He was awarded The Justice Award from the Pennsylvania Prison Society for his service, their most prestigious award. When Stephen saw wrong in the world he had to right it. He was a mensch who gave his heart to all.

In his spare time, Stephen was a fierce Scrabble competitor (especially with sister Donna), a canasta player and Rummikub maven. He loved the music of Leonard Bernstein and attending symphonies at the Kimmel Center with Joani. He rejoiced in being a grandpa more than anything, and was an incredible partner and caregiver to Joani before her passing. He was a valued member of Temple Beth Shalom in Cherry Hill, where he regularly read Torah and performed with Al’s Chorale.

At the age of 40, Stephen was diagnosed with a rare sinus cancer, for which he was given a prognosis of nine months to live. Radiation to his head during that time ultimately caused the dementia that took his life decades later. He fought the side effects of his cancer treatment valiantly for 17+ years. His family is so grateful for the extra time they had with him – the weddings he hosted, the b’nai mitzvot of grandchildren he danced at, and the special times shared together with his family down the shore in Margate. All were priceless.

A private celebration of Stephen’s life will be planned for a later date at King David Cemetery in Falls Church, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen’s memory to the Donna W. Courtney Memorial Music Fund at Temple B’nai Shalom, https://www.tbs-online.org/donate. Memories of Stephen are welcome, and can be shared with his family at [email protected].