Born (7-27-28) and raised in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Son of Christopher William Winter, Sr. and Anna (Simon) Winter. He had 3 siblings, Dorothy (deceased), Harold (deceased) and Mary Elizabeth (91 – still living).
Was married to Eleanor (Hughey) Winter for 58 years until her death in 2014.
Has 3 daughters: Linda Hall (Mike), Carole Leonard (Bob) and Christie Rebensdorf (Steve).
Has 8 grandchildren: Christopher Hall (Devin), Jason Hall, Robert Leonard US Navy (Victoria), Derek Leonard, Nicole (Leonard) Fiore (Taylor), Brett Leonard US Air Force , Sarah Rebensdorf and Joshua Rebensdorf.
Has 3 great-grandchildren: Carter & Brooklyn Leonard and Caroline Hall.
At 17 he dropped out of high school to join the Navy. He was also in the US Army in later years. He eventually got his high school equivalency and, later put himself through college to earn his bachelors and masters degrees in engineering and graduated with honors.
He was transferred by his company (Melpar) to northern CA in the mid-1950’s where he worked until the late 1950’s when he moved to Orange County and began working as a civilian for the Naval Training Device Center at the military base in El Toro. He was an engineer and programmed flight training simulators (plane and helicopter) for the US military until his retirement.
Chris was involved in the building of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, was an usher there for a number of years, and always helped with fundraising projects for the school and church. He was a devout Catholic all his life and sent all 3 daughters to private school at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Mater Dei High School.
He was an avid runner and cyclist during his lifetime. He was also an active member of the Santa Ana HAM radio club and the Santa Ana Elks Club. He was, as was his whole family, a competitive roller skater for almost 20 years competing at the regional and national level. He also enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife and was a HUGE fan of Lawrence Welk.
He was a friend to everyone and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed him.
He died on 6-8-18 at almost 90 years of age.
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