Page created by: Cheryl Winn-Boujnida

Donald Alfred Winn, 87, passed away peacefully in Bristol, CT on Dec. 13, 2021 with his loving family by his side. He was born on Dec. 23, 1933 in Belfast, Maine to Otto Oscar and Edda Mae. Following in his father’s footsteps, Donny joined the military. He served with distinction as a Soldier in the Army for 25 years and as a Civil Servant with the Department of Defense for 25 years dedicating over five decades to his country.

At the young age of 16, he took an oath to serve his nation and joined the Maine Air National Guard in 1949. After serving two years, he joined the Air Force in 1951 and deployed overseas. As a newly enlisted Airman, Don met his wife, Julia Margaret Lillian Johansen, while stationed at Shepherd’s Grove in England. After serving five years, he left the Air Force and enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 1956. In 1957, he and Julia were wed in Orrington, Maine. In 1963, he joined the Army enlisting as a Private First Class in the Military Intelligence Branch until retiring as a Master Sergeant in Stuttgart, Germany in 1982. He saw action in Vietnam earning a Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal for valor and heroic achievements. Don was a trained linguist who studied Korean, Vietnamese and Russian throughout his career and graduated with honors from the University of Maryland.

Donald’s second career as Civil Servant took him and Julia all around the world. They lived in Germany for over two decades and traveled to many faraway places. Don loved life and music – he was always dreaming of his next adventure and one of his favorite songs was “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson. He was a free spirit who had a great sense of humor that everyone enjoyed immensely. His family treasured his witticism and will continue to share his jokes, puns, antics, one-liners, wisdom, and life philosophy forever. “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours” was one of his favorite sayings. From small-town boy to American hero, he won the hearts and minds of the people he defended and of those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Julia, and three children, Nicholas and wife Silvia Sousa-Winn, Cheryl Winn-Boujnida and Marc Richter, and Donna Winn. He was a proud grandfather of six grandchildren Larah Winn and husband John Boorjian, Jessica Winn and husband Ricky Czachor, Nicholas Winn and wife Kaitlin Colleary, Zoe Peak, Samira Boujnida and Liam Boujnida and one great grandchild, Shea Winn. He was like a father to Bruce Bader who lived with the family for many years. He shared a lifetime friendship with Patricia Ottati and her daughters Michelle Ottati Davis and husband Fred, and Toni Marie Ottati and her husband. Don thought highly of Edward Gonsalves who passed in 2017 and his brother Bobby Gonsalves. Don adored Eddie's daughters Lisa Gonsalves and fiancé Tom Roy and Laura Schwartz and husband Ken and their twins Maisy and Theo. Don was thankful for his steadfast friendships with Richard Walton, Ilona Hulbin and Silvia Broadway and the comradery of Brian Naylor.

Don was predeceased by his father, Otto Oscar Winn, and mother Edda Mae Moody, uncle Bill Burgess, brothers, Jimmy Winn and Samuel Burgess and wife, Ethel, who he dearly loved. He is survived by his sisters Ruth Randall and Linda Szostek, nephews Robert Levesque, Samuel Burgess Jr. and wife Olivia, and nieces Elizabeth Burgess and husband Jeff Davis, Debbie Burgess, Susie Burgess and Cindy Burgess and husband Mic Cronin. He leaves behind many beloved great nephews and nieces in Maine where he grew up and has so many amazing memories.

He also leaves behind a large family in England: sister-in-law Sheila Norton, nieces Veronica Walker and husband Andy, Katie Corfield and husband Brian, Heidi Roney and husband Will, Nicola Tinley, nephew James Tinley and great nephews David Norton and wife Becky, Glen Wardle, Jamie Cushion, Ryan Cushion, Benjamin Hollands and wife Laura Cragg, Ciaran Palfreyman and great nieces Natalee Hollands, Emma Wright and husband James and Millie Palfreyman. Don loved his mother-in-law Nina Kathleen Johansen, father-in-law Cecil Gordon, brother-in laws Terry Norton, Jimmy Tinley, sister-in-law Valerie Tinley and nephew Sean Tinley and niece Karen Palfreyman who passed before him. Though he lived far away, they were always in his heart. Don bids fond farewell to Kenny Cook, wife Josie, and Chris Bird. He joins Clive "Dicky" Bird for a laugh and drink to reminisce about all the funny stories they enjoyed sharing.

A funeral will be held for him with full military honors at the State Veteran’s Cemetery located at 317 Bow Lane in Middletown, CT on Dec. 29 at 2 o'clock. A celebration of Don’s life will take place at the Olive Bar located at 9 School Street in Unionville, CT from 4 to 6 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s disease in Donald’s honor.