Jesus, thank You for giving me such a wonderful spiritual director and friend in Johnny for the past 15 years and Godfather to our daughter Sofia.  He always led me to seek You in the Sacraments, especially frequent Reconciliation and Holy Communion. He reminded me to stay close to the Blessed Mother and to pray the Rosary daily. One of his last assignments for me was to pray "Jesus, I trust in You!" often throughout the day. I will always treasure the wisdom John shared with me.  Through his own example, he taught me how to live life to the fullest and now by his death, he has taught me how to surrender completely to Your will in total trust. As Johnny always used to tell me, "Jenny, you are the beloved daughter of the Father!" May Johnny intercede for us that we may attain our life's ultimate goal: Heaven! May he rest in peace and may his memory be eternal!

I have known Johnny since 1975.  There is no one who has touched my life more profoundly than Johnny.  Though time and distance has kept us apart, you will remain a thread in me that I will take into eternity until we meet again.
Rest now with the angels, my sweet friend!

I was so sorry to read about Smiling Johnnny.  
We met a number of years ago - he was still very active in GOAL and I was very active in the therapy dog movement.  
I was invited to speak to a lovely group of people who met regularly at the Miami Springs Country Club.
Johnny was delightful company both times and I never forgot him.
Our lives both moved in different directions but I carry him in my heart - somewhat surprisingly as we only met those brief times and chatted by phone.  That was the quality of Johnny's impact on other people's world.
He shall truly be missed.

"Great minds discuss  ideas;  average minds discuss events;  small minds discuss  others".  John spoke of ideas, and his plan  to help others.  He  turned his ideas,  desire to help others , his  focus,  determination and  passion for life into the breath  needed to reach his GOAL.  The road was not always easy, but he knew what he wanted to do with his life, and expected no more of others than he did of himself.  Not perfection, but to never give up on what you  want.  The lives John  has touched will continue to grow as lessons learned are lived and others pay it  forward.  Johnny,  you  are missed and when remembered, it will always be with love and a smile.

Johnny Winters may you rest in peace.  You will be greatly missed.

I have known John for over 40 years and he never ceased to amaze me as to how he followed God's plan for his life. He was inspired and as a result was an inspiration to so many, including myself, my family, my students and really anyone who had the privilege of meeting him.

Friends:B.Ashley,R.Whitehurst,R.Spoont,D.King,J.Kendrick&Dghtr,L.CantyA.Matthews,BGroves&Son,A.Phang,E.Kimbrough,Goal Members

Johnny Winters visited my school and at a very young age he gave me a whole new perspective on life and how to treat others. Thanks Johnny.
-Jim Ranieri

Johnny, 
To all of us at St. Rose, you were a ray of sunshine every day: at Mass, with the children, volunteering on various projects, your famous Barbeques, and the Carnival.  You were the fabric of life for the St. Rose Family teaching us that handicaps are not a burden, but a path to friendship and the way home to God.  We will miss you dear friend, but your love and your legacy will never be forgotten because you have imprinted them in our hearts.  You have fought the good fight, Johnny, and you have won the race.

Nancy Sullivan and your St. Rose Family

JOHNNY YOU WERE A TRUE DESCIPLE OF GOD.  WE KNOW JESUS WELCOMED YOU WITH OPEN ARMS.  THANKS FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND ESPECIALLY YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE.  WE WILL MEET AGAIN.  PEACE ALWAYS GOOD FRIEND.

LOVE, 
EILEEN KENNEY, HARRIET AND BERNIE MOLINSKI ( FOUNDERS OF AIM)

Dearest Johnny,
  God bless you for all you did in His Name. You were truly a servant of the Lord . . . a very special Gift from God. . . and an inspiration to all who crossed your path. Those of us who worked at the Ark were so very fortunate to have had your light shine upon us weekly. You never left home without your beautiful smile, infectious laughter and spiritual guidance. We go way back, Johnny, to my Cursillo involvment days and my one and only regret is not having said our goodbyes. I love you, Johnny, and know that a piece of you remains in my heart. I thank God that you were so blessed by the Gift of Margie. You were family to each other with a love so very obvious. God knew what He was doing when He brought the two of you together. Miss you, dear friend!

I  would like to dedicate this poem one of my truth Friend John Winters.

The celebration of life,
shared in the beginning, and again, in the end.
Yet we forget to celebrate it, in every moment we live.
Time, days, years, go on, but are we alive?
Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world
and dead to the life we are to live.
To celebrate all life,
the sparrow who sang in the morning,
and died in the night,
why do we not celebrate its life?
To know thyself is to know you are alive -
to give, to love, to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain.
In life as it is meant to be, pain is forgotten, and
strength is all that's left to be gained
in the moment by moment celebration of life.
By Miguel Pauli.

Johnny was an inspiration to so many people and he will be sorely missed.  He called me his little brother and we had many good times together.  He will not be forgotten and his courage and faith were truly remarkable.  Rest in Peace Dear Johnny!

Yes, I need words,I also need time, because I met Johnny quite a while ago, John, this is Bill Thomas , one of those who gathered to form GOAL many,many years ago.  I am in Denver residing at Oakhurst Towers.  I just found out today, dear friend, about your departure. Nice picture of you, my smiling friend. Peace,my brother, God's Peace.  Bill

Dear John,
Although we had not seen each other in awhile, you are forever in my heart.  You helped so many people during you walk on earth. And now may you walk and talk with Jesus. Miss you my friend.
Patrice OBrien ad Karen Wolf

  Johnny was a "100% All American Guy" whose thoughtfulness and joy were qualities embedded deep in his nature. He offered friendship to hundreds and hundreds, and thousands looked to him for leadership.
 
  Johnny was Genuine ~ with a capitol G. He gave hope in his charity as guided by the love of Christ Jesus and the Virgin Mary.  His path led him to acceptance of a heavy cross which he cheerfully carried, leading others to do the same.

  He prayed for the best for all in all things. He followed his trademark mantra and got out there & lived!! As he reached for each summit, Johnny had a heart as big as the sky.

  Having met this wonderful man when we were malades taken to Lourdes, FR in 1996 by the Order of Malta, we had an instant connection that grew stronger over the years. 

 He has a special place in my heart that is forever. I will miss him so very much. But now my dear friend is in paradise with the angels & saints, and eternal peace is his reward as his faith has set him free.

Amen

John thanks you for being my friend for almost 33 years, and for GOAL the many outings we had specially the pool parties, that we all had so much fun. I also enjoyed going out for dinner at. “The Ark” and see there your good friend Jim.
 Also for encouraged me to go to AIM and you talking to me about God. 
          
                         I'll miss you guy. Love Elena  Hernandez  Miami

John thanks you for being my friend for almost 33 years, and for GOAL the many outings we had specially the pool parties, that we all had so much fun. I also enjoyed going out for dinner at. “The Ark” and see there your good friend Jim.
 Also for encouraged me to go to AIM and you talking to me about God. 
          
     I'll miss you guy                 Miami

Dear John, I am proud to had you as a friend for so many years, and the beautiful friendship you had with Elena, it help her so much!
I will keep always the memories of the times we spent together in the different events of Goal.      
              I love and always remember you.
Peace is with you, friend.
                                                                               Love  Vicky Miami

Dear John, I am proud to had you as a friend for so many years, and the beautiful friendship you had with Elena, it help her so much!
I will keep always the memories of the times we spent together in the different events of Goal.      
              I love and always remember you.
Peace is with you, friend.
                                                 Love Vicky  Miami

John, thanks you for being my friend for almost 33 years, and for GOAL the many outings we had specially the pool parties, that we all had so much fun. I also enjoyed going out for dinner at. “The Ark” and see there your good friend Jim.
 Also for encouraged me to go to AIM and you talking to me about God. 
          
           I'll miss you guy.
    Love Elena  Hernandez  Miami

John thanks you for being my friend for almost 33 years, and for GOAL the many outings we had specially the pool parties, that we all had so much fun. I also enjoyed going out for dinner at. “The Ark” and see there your good friend Jim.
 Also for encouraged me to go to AIM and you talking to me about God. 
          
                   I'll miss you guy. Love Elena  Hernandez  Miami

Dear John, I am proud to had you as a friend for so many years, and the beautiful friendship you had with Elena, it help her so much!
I will keep always the memories of the times we spent together in the different events of Goal.      
       I love and always remember you.
Peace is with you, friend.
                                                   Love Vicky    
          Miami

Some of my earliest childhood memories revolve around Johnny, who I have known since I was 2.   He inspired me, made me laugh, loved me, and always had good things to say. He will be missed.

Thank you, God, for sending Johnny to be a gift to all of us! He taught us so much about God's unconditional love. We have a special saint to intercede for us now.

Johnny was a true inspiration to our family, and will always remain so.  We will always have a sausage bread, extra place setting, and a straw for your drink. Heaven has a new angel this week.

Johnny was the epitome of a purpose-driven life.  His laugh was infectious and his heart overflowed with love and compassion.  He was a dedicated and faithful servant always striving to fulfill what he believed was his calling.  To know Johnny was to love and admire him.  May he be basking in eternal life with his God and may he R.I.P.

You will be missed my loving uncle. Be with God!

John, you were an inspiration to so many people that you never even met.  Your view on living has kept many people from despair.  Be with God, and live free in His Presence. We will meet again..........

John,
May your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen, John, you were a good and faithful servant.

You were a very dear friend of mine, and now went to live with God. You were such a loving and spiritual person and it hurts me so much that I wasn't able to say my goodbye. Johnny, you will forever be remembered and I will miss our conversations about God, and will always cherish our storytimes while working at the front desk of Grand Court Lakes, when I read to you about what heaven was like. I'm glad I broke that one rule about not having any residents around the lobby area, because it was worth making you laugh and smile. After all those times visualizing about that beautiful paradise we call Heaven, you are now finally there, happy and free and no longer disabled. I love you and may God and all the angels welcome you with open arms! Rest in peace, my Rosebud.  -Your Delight

My John, I will missed your smile and true friendship for many years. Your are enjoying life with our Lord. God bless

Johnny,  I will miss you and your infectious smile, and will be forever grateful to have known you and to have shared much with you.  You taught me much about the spiritual life by your knowledge and example, and gave me far more than you will ever know.  Thank you for your wise counsel, for being such a wonderful friend, and for being a witness to Love and Forgiveness.

It was an honor to know you, a privilege to accompany you on a cruise and take you to Cape Canaveral.  We shared many great times together.  Thank you for your generous spirit.

I know God has a special place for you in heaven.  Peace be with you, brother!

Your Friend,   Alan Sine

My Johnny, you touched my life like no other, Your gift to me and everyone you new will never be forgotten. The strength you shared allowed me to grow in a way I did not think was possible. Now I know I have a new angel to watch over me from above. I love you and will always smile when I think of you.
                                                                        Dorothy(Dodi) Tampa, Fl/

Johhny, Your SMILE and Love for JESUS truly shined through you. Get Out And Live, that you did and helped others  to do the same.

I know Jesus welcomed you into Heaven and you are now safe and secure with him. 

Peace to you always, Barbara Mullins, Vero Beach, Fl

John- although I didn't know you I know and love your wonderful family. May you find peace with the Angels in Heaven.

Johnny,a family friend since 1969,sharing in GOAL for 35 yrs. sharing family times, watching you take giant steps from golf cart to Van,motivating others to live life to the fullest, as you always did! 
You made it happen Johnny, & we are proud to have shared these memorable times with you. You brought the love of Jesus to all of us! Thanks Johnny

In the eyes of a little girl you were superman, invincible, untouchable... Loved. I miss you so very much. Thank you for always being there for me and never forgetting a single important day or event. From the nights you spent at our house where we would take off your braces together as you patiently explained to an overly curious and inquisitive child what they were for to the coffee houses where I learned how much you impacted the lives of everyone around you to our beach vacation we went on together where you stopped at nothing to dip your toes in the water ... you were always and will always be admired, appreciated, deeply deeply loved. It's so hard to put into words how powerful your love was and wonderful you are and thankful I am that you were my Godfather. I love you Johnny.

Johnny touched people all over the world with his determination, and 'Can-Do' attitude.  Any small encounter with him left anyone who met him wondering why they could not do more, if he could do so much.  He will be missed by all he came into contact with.

John you will be very much missed.  I have wonderful memories of our growing up years and later years of adventures together.  You have a done a lot good in this life and touch a lot of people.  You have a very special place in heaven.  Love and miss you. Clara Jo Proudfoot Hartley

Johnny I will miss you. Miss that smile and those conversations we love to have. Miss my kiss. :)
Rest in Peace

OBITUARY

John Francis Winters III

October 25, 1945 – June 9, 2013

Caballero Rivero Southern

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