Raymond J Winter

Raymond J. Winter, 87, of Bolton/Vernon, CT, died after a long illness at home surrounded by his family on May 20, 2025. He was born in Hartford, CT, on May 9, 1938, to Raymond G. and Marion (Stafford) Winter. As a boy, Ray and his younger brothers, Roger and Gary, lived in Hartford until the family settled in Manchester, CT, where Ray attended local schools and graduated from Manchester High School in 1956. He went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut in 1961. Following graduation, Ray joined the Army Reserves and took a job as copywriter for Connecticut’s first all-talk radio station WINF (1230) in Manchester. In 1971, Ray joined The Hartford Insurance Company as a sales promotion copywriter in the audio visual department and later became director of audio visual services in 1974. It was there in 1981, following the tragic fire at Stouffer’s Inn in Harrison, NY, that he conceived, wrote, directed and produced The Hartford’s award-winning fire-safety film “Get Out Alive!”. Ray was later elected to an assistant secretary and director of sales promotion. In that role, he became the first Hartford employee to be named a winner of ITT’s prestigious Harold S. Geneen Creative Management Award. Ray retired from The Hartford in 1998.

During his youth, Ray was a voracious reader, a habit he kept his entire life. He was a history buff, being especially drawn to the WWII era of his childhood, and enjoyed going to the movies, making mischief with his brothers and following the Yankees. Ray attended Camp Asto Wamah in Columbia, CT, and later became a camp counselor there for several years. Together with the influential role his parents played in developing his deep sense of responsibility, loyalty, fairness and social justice, principles that guided him throughout his lifetime, Asto Wamah played another pivotal role in Ray’s life. It was there, through mutual friends, that he met the love of his life, Sarah Willard. He was immediately smitten with Sarah, and that adoration and devotion remained a constant throughout their lives together. Ray and Sarah, who were married in 1962, had two children, Rachael and Eric. In 1971, they bought the home of their dreams on Bolton Lake. Family time was spent swimming, boating and ice skating on the lake; playing cards and board games; making jigsaw puzzles; watching Yankee baseball; and rooting for the UConn Huskies. Especially salient were their multi-generational family summer vacations to the Rhode Island shore. Although the participants changed over the decades, Ray and Sarah cherished this time together with their extended family. Later on, Ray and Sarah became world travelers, visiting scores of countries, relishing in the people they met and the history, art and cultures they interacted with. Of particular note for Ray were his trips to Africa, one with his grandson Adam, one with Eric and another with Sarah. He said of Africa, “It is the only place I have visited that I continue to see in my dreams.”

Ray was predeceased by his parents and brothers. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah Winter; daughter Rachael Funk, her husband Charles and their children Leah (Dan), Adam and Chaz (Lizzie); son Eric Winter, his wife Donna and their children Katelyn, Meghan (Keith) and Ryan (Megan); great grandchildren Eden and Oscar Morris; sisters-in-law Deborah Willard and Delorise Winter; and several nieces and nephews. Ray will be greatly missed by the family and friends he loved so dearly and who loved him immensely. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who made it possible for Ray to stay home throughout his long illness, especially Ralph Hussey who compassionately provided his care for 3 1/2 years. Ray’s family will receive friends on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 4:00-6:00PM, followed by a memorial service beginning at 6:00PM at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ray’s name to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (https://www.theaftd.org/), checks payable to AFTD, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.