Sidney Thomas Winder

Sidney Thomas Winder, 66, died unexpectedly at his home on November 17, in Lafayette, where he had been a resident for the past 10 years. He was born and raised in Houma, graduated from Vandebilt Catholic High School, and later earned an associate's degree in electronics and robotics.

As a great-nephew of the founders of the renowned Winder private school, Lorton Preparatory School in Terrebonne Parish (1903-1940), Sidney was nurtured and loved dearly in a family of educators. Under the stately oaks and massive pecan trees that sprinkled the Lorton Preparatory School grounds on Main Street, he and his older brother Gerald, and sister, Angela, and cousins Evelyn, Johnnie, Charlie and Carol would spend hours picking pecans for their Aunt Nina.

The only surviving teacher of the original three school founders, Louise, Sarah and Nina. It was Nina who inspired him with lessons in art, etiquette, and science. It was, however, his father, Fay G. Winder Jr., an electrical engineer and graduate of Lorton and LSU, who influenced Sidney's skills working for hours with him on bench projects in a workshop filled with wonders of invention. His mother, Margaret "Peggy" Fannon, a nurse from County Roscommon, Ireland, adored him, providing him with many interactions with his great-aunt and grandparents, Fay and Birdie Winder.

Sidney was an accomplished electrical technician, underwater robotics and wastewater management specialist. He worked in many midwestern states on water management implementation projects for city and county officials and contracted firms.

Sidney is survived by his only son and greatest love, Lance, a computer expert and president of SilverWulf Computer Services of Lafayette. The joy of his life and his legacy are his two grandsons, who proudly carry the Winder name forward, Slade Anthony Winder, age 6, and Ronin Adam Winder, age 3.

He is also survived by his brother, Gerald of Tucson, Arizona; and sister, Angela Winder deGravelles and her husband, Charles N. deGravelles of Baton Rouge, and their children, Eliot and William; an aunt, Jean Winder; and cousins, Carol Winder Thomas of Houma, and Evelyn Winder Husser of Metairie and her family, the Herraghty and Fannon families.

He was predeceased by his father, mother, grandparents, and the great-aunts, a niece as well as his cousins, Charles Pershing Winder Jr. and John Bass Winder Jr.

Sidney dearly loved his father's youngest brother, the late John Bass Winder Sr., who took a special interest in Sidney throughout his life.

A memorial private service will be held in his honor at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent in his name to Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society, Southdown Museum, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma, LA 70360.