In Our Care
James H. Winkler
June 27, 1963 - December 17, 2021
James H. Winkler
James died suddenly on December 17, 2021 at age 58 at home in Medford, Mass. Also known as Jim, Jimmy, and Jimbo. He was husband to Ulla, the best and most loving husband who ever existed. He was a devoted son to Lenore and Howard Winkler, a beloved brother of Anne Winkler (St. Louis, MO) and Mitchell (Teresa) Winkler (Houston, TX), and a favorite uncle to Lauren, Lee, Henrik, and Andrew. He had deep friendships, including special friends Sue and Crystal.
James felt and showed boundless love for his parents. Always with good cheer, he provided local support (food shopping, gardening, cooking with and for them). He established a Meetup Group for the Middlesex Canal Association to support one of his father’s long-time passions, leading walks that he enjoyed too. He played Zoom bridge regularly with his Mom during COVID to support her and for his own enjoyment. He was a favorite travelling companion, including a fall 2019 trip to Bristol, RI and environs and a lifetime of Winkler summer family vacations to New Hampshire. He was always game for historical outings with his parents, this past fall to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
James was the most affable guy. Everyone who met him couldn’t help but like him. He was the kind of person who sent texts with exclamation points and a smiley emoji. He was most often recently seen wearing his “uniform” of a black short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans, with a smile that never ended. He was an exceptionally caring individual, always making himself available to help others.
He loved entertaining friends and family. No one could make a brunch that tasted better or seemed more effortless. The “Uncle Jim brunch” is a classic.
A native of Arlington and a graduate of Arlington High School, he received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester. A Professional Engineer, he was most recently a Senior Resident Engineer with Arcadis. He had 35 plus years of experience managing complex engineering and construction projects including 30 years with CDM Smith, rising to the level of Vice President.
He thoroughly enjoyed and was committed to Weight Watcher’s point system and community, just one pound shy of reaching his goal. He starred in his own Weight Watcher “Dancing with Jimmy” videos. He loved walking in the Middlesex Fells (with fond memories of golden retrievers Sika and Sheba) and couldn’t resist a beach day at Revere, his own urban beach. He loved his house and living in Medford. An avid Scrabble player, he was always the one to do the scoring. He was always open to new things including a helicopter ride or figuring out the Medford bus system.
He left an unfinished dream, a salt water hot tub and deck off the back of his Medford house.
He radiated fun and goodness and kindness and had the biggest heart. He was part of a most loving family who feel lucky to have had 58 years with him.
A Celebration of Life will follow later. For those who wish donations may be made in James’ memory to the James H. Winkler Fund at the Arlington Historical Society, 7 Jason Street, Arlington, MA 02421 or to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA 01749.
James died suddenly on December 17, 2021 at age 58 at home in Medford, Mass. Also known as Jim, Jimmy, and Jimbo. He was husband to Ulla, the best and most loving husband who ever existed. He was a devoted son to Lenore and Howard Winkler, a beloved brother of Anne Winkler (St. Louis, MO) and Mitchell (Teresa) Winkler (Houston, TX), and a favorite uncle to Lauren, Lee, Henrik, and Andrew. He had deep friendships, including special friends Sue and Crystal.
James felt and showed boundless love for his parents. Always with good cheer, he provided local support (food shopping, gardening, cooking with and for them). He established a Meetup Group for the Middlesex Canal Association to support one of his father’s long-time passions, leading walks that he enjoyed too. He played Zoom bridge regularly with his Mom during COVID to support her and for his own enjoyment. He was a favorite travelling companion, including a fall 2019 trip to Bristol, RI and environs and a lifetime of Winkler summer family vacations to New Hampshire. He was always game for historical outings with his parents, this past fall to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
James was the most affable guy. Everyone who met him couldn’t help but like him. He was the kind of person who sent texts with exclamation points and a smiley emoji. He was most often recently seen wearing his “uniform” of a black short-sleeved t-shirt and jeans, with a smile that never ended. He was an exceptionally caring individual, always making himself available to help others.
He loved entertaining friends and family. No one could make a brunch that tasted better or seemed more effortless. The “Uncle Jim brunch” is a classic.
A native of Arlington and a graduate of Arlington High School, he received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester. A Professional Engineer, he was most recently a Senior Resident Engineer with Arcadis. He had 35 plus years of experience managing complex engineering and construction projects including 30 years with CDM Smith, rising to the level of Vice President.
He thoroughly enjoyed and was committed to Weight Watcher’s point system and community, just one pound shy of reaching his goal. He starred in his own Weight Watcher “Dancing with Jimmy” videos. He loved walking in the Middlesex Fells (with fond memories of golden retrievers Sika and Sheba) and couldn’t resist a beach day at Revere, his own urban beach. He loved his house and living in Medford. An avid Scrabble player, he was always the one to do the scoring. He was always open to new things including a helicopter ride or figuring out the Medford bus system.
He left an unfinished dream, a salt water hot tub and deck off the back of his Medford house.
He radiated fun and goodness and kindness and had the biggest heart. He was part of a most loving family who feel lucky to have had 58 years with him.
A Celebration of Life will follow later. For those who wish donations may be made in James’ memory to the James H. Winkler Fund at the Arlington Historical Society, 7 Jason Street, Arlington, MA 02421 or to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA 01749.