Stratham-Robert D. Winton 73, of Winnicutt Rd., Stratham, NH died on January 25, 2017 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Born in Portsmouth New Hampshire on April 29, 1943 he was a son of the late Robert D. Winton Sr. and Mae B. (Furbish) Winton. He was raised in Kittery Point and attended local schools including graduating from R. W. Traip Academy.
Robert served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy reserves and early in life spent much of his time on the water as a lobster fisherman both for himself and for Crawford lobster. His life on the water became a passion that followed him throughout his life, enjoying saltwater fishing, lobstering for himself, and being on the water anytime he could. The ocean was always a symbol of comfort and strength for him.
As a young man he worked at Saco Brick and moved to Connecticut to learn the machinist trade. Upon returning to the Seacoast he worked as a machinist at Diaphragm Industries and later began his 35+ year career at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Shop 31 as an inside machinist. He held increasing positions of responsibility, culminating as a Group Representative in production. Nearing the end of his career he transferred to Washington, DC working for NAVSEA 04X until he retired in 2006.
Bob was a renowned tinkerer, he could fix anything he set his mind to. He enjoyed time repairing and making things at his home, families' homes and even at friend's businesses. He was known to drop whatever he was doing to help a family member or friend in need with no expectation of recognition. As his constant companions in retirement, he dearly loved his two Bernese Mountain dogs, Brandy and Heidi, and made sure they were with him all the time, he even drove his automobile with license plates "MI-GRLS) (my girls) just for them.
Bob was an active and well respected Mason serving many years as Secretary and the youngest Worshipful Master of Naval Lodge # 184 in Kittery. He also held many offices in the Grand Lodge of Maine including his most recent position as the Assistant Grand Lecturer.
His first love however was his family; he is survived by his loving wife Linda Winton of Stratham, a son Derek Winton of Nobleboro Maine, daughter Lisa Winton and her husband Ken Toy of Hampton New Hampshire, son Nathan Winton and his wife Rebecca of Mustang Oklahoma, daughter Laura Washburn and husband Seth of Colchester Vermont, daughter Amy Burrell and her husband David of York Maine, and a stepdaughter Jennifer Bodenrader and her partner Jen Evans of Cape Elizabeth Maine, a sister Billy Hankey, sister Karen Winton -Smith and her husband Joe, and his sister Kathy Gable and her husband Bobby as well as 10 beloved grand and 11 beloved great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews, a very close cousin Greg Welch and his wife Sue, his beloved dogs Heidi and Brandy, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Masonic services and a memorial service will be held promptly at 6 PM on Monday, January 30, 2017 followed by visiting with his family until 8 pm in the JS Pelkey funeral home, 125 Old Post Rd., Kittery, ME 03904. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneral home.com. Donations may be made in his memory to the NH-SPCA.