CHARLES BRUCE "CHUCK" WINER

WINER, Charles Bruce "Chuck" Devoted loving husband, son, uncle, Vietnam Veteran and Healthcare Executive. Charles "Chuck" Bruce Winer; devoted loving husband, son, uncle, Vietnam Veteran and healthcare executive, passed away, on February 11, 2026, surrounded by loving family, at the age of 79, in Newton, Massachusetts. His steadfast faith has been an essential part of his life and story which has provided a unique perspective and has always been a source of strength for him which bolstered him through Vietnam, cancer, kidney disease, transplant and recovery. He often shared wisdom from these experiences in mentorship and support to others who called on him in need. Chuck was born in Brooklyn, NY, on October 24, 1946, to parents, Dr. Samuel and Dorothy Winer. The family relocated to Medford, MA, to care for an elderly grandfather in 1957, where the family ultimately stayed. The Winer family shared a happy life at the top of Rural Ave., centered on Jewish values and community service. Their home was a magnet for fun times with friends. The family was a founding member of Temple Shalom, where he remained a life-long congregant. He attended Ripon College, in Ripon, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1968 with an B.S. in Economics & Psychology. He also held an MPA from Suffolk University. While being a law student in Chicago, Chuck was drafted to serve in Vietnam in 1971. He served as a combat correspondent/photographer and editor for the 1st Aviation brigade magazine. He flew with helicopter units from the Mekong Delta to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. On his way to Vietnam, his plane refueled in Hawaii. The lush landscape that he viewed from his airplane window inspired him to return 40 years later with his beloved wife, Debbie, for a golfing trip in Kauai. Upon his return from the military, he launched a 45 year career in healthcare where he held a variety of key positions in the healthcare system. He consistently acted as a champion of innovative ideas and programs designed to bring affordable, high-quality care to all persons. He helped to establish the first health planning efforts in Massachusetts, he was instrumental in the development of the HMO program at Massachusetts BCBS, and he provided strategic guidance on a variety of topics to leaders at MetroWest MC and later to the physician organization at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He also acted as a driving force in the presentation to the Obama administration of a Medicare payment arrangement with an emphasis on timely, efficient primary care that would have served as a much-needed alternative to the traditional program. On multiple occasions, Chuck took positions based on integrity even though he knew they would undermine his personal interests. In all of his endeavors, those who had the privilege of working with Chuck knew they could place their trust in his extraordinary insight, humor, honesty, courage, loyalty and grace under pressure. What characterized Chuck was heroism. In addition to his service, and critical contributions to healthcare, he journeyed through and survived several illnesses related to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. After being given one and half years to live from a multiple myeloma diagnosis, he survived and thrived for 35 years. He is also a two time transplant recipient. He overcame each of these challenges with an unparalleled endurance, good humor, positive outlook, and joy for life. Chuck was a lover of sports, an avid skier, golfer, runner and loved to attend spin classes at the Mt. Auburn Club. When the family moved from Brooklyn to Medford in his childhood, Chuck was saddened to leave his Dodgers but was delighted to learn that the Yankees were equally despised in Boston. He was a life long Boston sports fan, attending Celtics games in the 1950s and 60s with his mother, Dorothy, during the golden era of Boston basketball. Chuck and Debbie traveled to three Patriots Super Bowls and two Boston Red Sox World Series as 45 year season ticket holders. Chuck is survived by a loving family and many friends who cherish his memory. He was the loving, protective husband of Debbie Kurlansky-Winer for 25 years. He is survived by brother, Stephen (Sharon) Winer; sister, Leslie (George) Diller; and brother-in-law, Alan (Lola) Kurlansky. He is also survived by beloved nephews and nieces, Dr. David (Carly) Diller, Scott (Remy) Winer, Ahsiya (Ryan) Holy, Jilan (Rachel) Kurlansky; and dear cousins, Roz (Marty) Spielman and Chuck Reingold. He was blessed by great-nieces and great-nephews, Josh and Jake Diller, Chase Winer, Aya Holy, Luke and Julian Kurlansky. Chuck is survived by daughters, Lauren Turner and Julie Slivka. A Funeral Service will be held at Temple Shalom, 475 Winthrop Street, Medford, MA, 02155 on Friday, February 13, at 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA 02067. Shiva will be observed on Sunday, February 15, at 1 pm, also at Temple Shalom in Medford, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to: DOVE, Living Kidney Donation for Veterans. For online donation, dovetransplant.org. Donations can also be made to Multiple Myeloma Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 5th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445. For online donation visit www.dana-farber.org/donate or call 617-632-3019. www.goldmanfc.com Goldman Funeral Chapel - Malden