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ERNEST "TONY" WINSOR

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Harvard University

ERNEST WINSOR Obituary

Winsor, Ernest "Tony"
Age 76 of Chestnut Hill passed peacefully on Monday, November 4 at Briarwood Healthcare as a result of lewy body dementia. He is survived by his wife Ros and children Alina, of Phoenix, AZ and son and daughter in law Ben and Alyssa of Belmont. Tony graduated from Harvard University in 1958, served 2 years in the U.S. Army, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1963. He worked 6 years at Hale & Dorr, married Ros in 1969 and spent 39 happy years at Mass Law Reform Institute until his retirement in 2009. Tony had a distinguished career there pursuing his passion of bringing justice for the disadvantaged. Among his many achievements were bringing reform to the CORI system and requiring interpreters in courts and emergency rooms. He was also extensively engaged at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts for over 50 years and served 30 years on the board of Massachusetts Prisoners' Legal Services. Tony loved classical music, tennis, summers with friends and family in Nova Scotia, and widely extended hospitality with his famous "Mama Tone's rum punch." A memorial service, with a celebration to follow, will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at 1:00 pm at the First Unitarian Society of Newton, 1326 Washington St, W. Newton. Donations are encouraged for either the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, 99 Chauncy St, Boston 02111 or the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, 211 Congress St., Boston 02110.

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Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 5 to Nov. 6, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for ERNEST WINSOR

26 Entries

Buzzy Baron

October 30, 2023

I still think of him often.

Chris Kowalcky

October 30, 2022

I still think of Tony, and always with a smile. And, I still talk about him as the most justice-oriented person I've ever known. I don't think that statement will ever change no matter who I meet in life.

Buzzy Baron

October 30, 2020

Still very much in my thoughts, particularly at this time when human decency seems to be under assault. It would matter very much if he were still here to shine his light in this period of darkness.

Tony Winsor quote. Thank you Tony!

National Council on Interpreting in Health Care

November 26, 2013

Joan and Ethan Bolker

November 25, 2013

One evening years ago (perhaps 30) a scruffy looking fellow came to our front door in Newton with a box of cookies in hand. The screen was
unlatched, so he started to step into the front hall. Our dog objected - so did we. After he left we called the police to report a suspicious character possibly casing the neighborhood. They picked him up a while later a few blocks away.

So we were needed in court the following week when his case came up. We thought we could probably identify him, had no idea what if anything he might be charged with, and worried about retaliation. Lawyer Tony was an old friend from the Leverett House Drama Society and Chinatown's How-Yen-Han (he used a fork rather than hopsticks so he could eat more than the rest of us) so we called him for advice. We got much more. He sat with us in court, clearly concerned both for our well being and to see that the fellow was fairly treated. Turned out that since our door was not locked, nothing officially wrong had transpired, and the case was dismissed.

Tony wouldn't even let us pay for his pizza afterwards. We've contributed to MLRI ever since.

November 24, 2013

As first cousins Tony and I had very limited contact with one another, however on the occasion of my sixtieth birthday he and Ros made the trip to my daughter's home in Quincy. I much admired his accomplishments and mild mannered approach. His mother, my Aunt Gertrude and my Father, Jack McCormack were very close and so we were aware of our relationship. My condolences to Ros and the family. John H McCormack Jr

peg henehan

November 22, 2013

Tony was warm, supportive, and modest. As a new lawyer he was extremely helpful to me, even though we were often on opposite sides. He was a great example of a lawyer who could bring all sides together with humor and intelligence, withoug casting blame, and who was effective at bringing reform to systems that needed it. I hope that many of us in the legal profession will emulate him.

T G Dailey

November 20, 2013

Kind of shocked, that Tony's departed. I know he had a serious illness and Ros managed things so adroitly and carefully with great love. Thought Tony would be here a good deal longer. It always seems too soon, regardless of the circumstances. Tony maintained his outward good cheer for so long in what must have been at times frightening days. For some reason I'm happy he could be in his own home, his very long time home, for the greater duration of the illness.
Tony was one of those men with courage. And there aren't a lot of men like that. He stood up for citizens whose rights were easily trampled. Instead of muttering under his breath about injustice, he acted on his beliefs in a rightful way and so lit not one but many candles in the often dark world of human affairs. And he acted righteously not for a little while but for decades, year upon year, with energy and effect. Tony was a man who actually bent that arc of history toward justice.
I extend my condolences to Ros and Ben
and Alina. Tim Dailey

November 20, 2013

Ros and Family,

I just heard today of Tony's passing and am writing to extend my condolences. I hope that you are finding comfort in memories of him. He was a wonderful man who taught me a great deal when we worked together at MLRI.

Mary Connelly
[email protected]

Chris Kowalcky

November 19, 2013

Tony was always so kind to me and my family. I will remember 'Mama Tone's rum punch' with so many fond memories of his hospitality. It was a pleasure and privilege to know such a good person. I don't know that I have ever met anyone who lived a life as committed to social justice as Tony Winsor, and he did so with humor and genuine humility. My heartfelt condolences, Ros, Ben and Alena.

Richard Howard

November 15, 2013

Ros- Our deepest condolences to you and your family. As one can see from these statements, Tony was best friend and mentor to many. He took on the causes that others might not. Show him an impossible challenge and he would take it on. He was smarter, wittier, more eloquent, more persistent than almost all of us. He was extraordinarily organized- who could forget the FIFO stacked firewood in your basement. That, his amazing mind, and his indefatigable energy made it possible for him to keep up so many battles and champion so many campaigns at the same time. Tony was a warm and kind person, a marvel and an inspiration. What a privilege it was to have known him and watch him work his magic.
Richard and Nancy Howard

Judith Lennett

November 14, 2013

To the wonderful list of Tony's contributions I would add this: he was always ready to help new lawyers; along the way, he showed us (me) that it is possible to stay true to the never ending struggle for justice with humor and quirkitude intact.

November 13, 2013

Dear Ros,
I was so sorry to hear your sad news. Tony was, for me, the personification of a gentleman -- and a man who spoke up for people who needed his help. I also remember his attentivel presence last year at our Book Club meetings. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Kate Carney

Peter Kane

November 13, 2013

Tony was a gem and a true advocate for the downtrodden. Not only could he speak eloquently on any topic for which he was passionate, but he was a great listener as well. Serving on MCLS Board of Directors with him was not only a privilege, it was an honor. A very dear and gentle man who could throw a mean Mama Tone's rum punch. Ros, my heart goes out to you and your family, we've all lost a wonderful human being.

Phillip Kassel

November 12, 2013

An ebullient and charmingly idiosyncratic presence, Tony was a persistent source of good cheer as well as wisdom in the legal services community for many years. I am sorry Ros for your loss. I will miss him.

Joseph Kriesberg

November 12, 2013

Ros, Ben, Alina,

Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your wonderful husband and father. Tony was a special person and a great friend. We have so many fond memories of swimming and tennis on the Cape, wonderful dinners, latkes, movies, and of course the L&S parties. In fact, Dina and I had our first date at the L&S party in 1991, and the rest, of course, is history. So we thank you and Tony for that!

May all of the wonderful memories sustain you during these times and in the years to come.

With much love,

Joe & Dina

November 10, 2013

Ros,I am so sorry for your great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time... He is at peace.

Drina Menard, Franklin, MA

L Harvey

November 10, 2013

My heart goes out to you and your family.

Lois Harvey, Member Local Lewy Body Support Group

November 9, 2013

Sending condolences to Ros and family at this sad time. My sympathy and thoughts are with you.
wendy schwartz

Cheryl Muise

November 7, 2013

Ros and Alina and family so sad to hear of Tony's death. We hope that happy memories sustain you.

Cheryl and Joe Muise. Dallas TX

Nina Coil

November 7, 2013

I remember Tony vividly from the years I worked at NERTC/MLRI. He was way ahead of his time in so many ways -- biking to work, eating a vegetarian diet, re-using frozen orange juice containers as glassware. He might have been a figure of fun in those pre-ecologically aware days had it not been for his bone-deep, unfailing kindness.

Liz Rodgers

November 7, 2013

Rest in peace, you lovely warrior

Briarwood Healthcare

November 6, 2013

All of us here at Briarwood Healthcare in Needham want to let Tony's family know how privileged we felt to be a part of Tony's life. Whether he was singing along with a Luciano Pavarotti CD, or sharing his sense of humor with us, he was a real pleasure to know. Tony was also so blessed to have a devoted family who cared so much for him. We extend our sincere condolences, and think of Tony's extensive legacy of helping others with his determination, sensitivity, and dedication to his practice of law. Our only regret is that we never had the opportunity to try his "Mama Tone's rum punch"!

Buzzy Baron

November 6, 2013

Tony was my BCLUMB (Best Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts Buddy). On the board of that organization, he was a constant source of succinct sense. I treasured the time spent with him driving home from those meetings, having the occasional lunch or dinner, drinking Mama Tone's punch, etc. He was a great and giving humanitarian and a wonderful friend.

November 6, 2013

Lt. I remember the blue bomb at Charlie-4-68, in Slatersville RI

DickAlsterberg

John Winske

November 5, 2013

Tony was a giant of a human being. In a day in age when there are not many true "liberals" left Tony was a dyed in the wool liberal. If you were about to fight for the disenfranchised you wanted on your team. We served together on the Board of DLC early in my advocacy career. I learned so much from him. He will be missed.

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