David Michael Winter

Essex Junction - Dave was born on March 19, 1960, in Barre City Hospital and died September 5, 2025, in the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont, after a long battle with cancer.

Dave was a lifelong hiker, climbing his first mountain, Camel's Hump, at the age of 5; completing the Long Trail at 13 to become its youngest solo End-to-Ender; and continuing to climb Camel's Hump and nearby mountains until the last year of his life. His appreciation of the wilderness made him a strong proponent of restoring and enhancing our environmental protections.

Overcoming many personal obstacles, he was a fierce advocate for the poor, homeless, mentally ill, and others he believed were ill-treated by society. He worked for many years at COTS, as well as helping people cope with jail release, substance abuse, and other problems.

For several years, Dave was a self-employed logger and snowplow contractor. In his last years, he was a bus driver for GMTA, a job he thoroughly enjoyed, and a proud member of the Teamsters Union, until their leadership supported Trump.

Dave was an avid writer and published several chapbooks of original poetry. He continued to pen new work until the last week of his life.

His many other interests included martial arts, both Tai Chi and Kempo Ju Jitsu, where he proudly achieved a purple belt. While opposed to most forms of consumerism, Dave was a lifelong coin collector; he also collected movies, tools, and Magic Cards.

Dave was a lover of all creatures on four legs, especially dogs. His childhood dog Schatzie was his constant hiking companion. As an adult, he was never in a position to keep a dog, but his family's dogs ("puppies") always gave him, and them, joy.

While Dave took his civic responsibilities seriously, working hard to support candidates who shared his views and letting his representatives know where he stood on issues, he may be remembered best for his generosity of spirit and willingness to lend a helping hand to friends, neighbors, and family. He showed a special level of care to his mom, claiming he "tortured that poor woman" as a teenager.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to all the staff and volunteers at McClure-Miller who took such good care of him in his final days. And we especially want to thank all his friends who visited him at both the hospitals and respite house - it did a lot to brighten his spirits. And your friendship is the best testament to the man Dave was.

Dave was predeceased by his mentor and his mother's long-time partner, Alvin Gover. He is survived by his mother, Hazel Winter; sister, Monique "Moki" Fox; father, James Winter and his wife, Kelly Winter, who hand-knit Dave many beautiful hats; nephew Jesse Fox and wife, Eron, and their children, Irie, Morgan, Lyran, Quinten, Stella, Jacob and Adelaide; niece Lizzy Fox Lausier, her husband, Steve, and their daughter, Sylvia; and niece, Nurto Hassan. A celebration of life will be held at East Cemetery in Williston on Wednesday, September 17th, at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Green Mountain Club, https://www.greenmountainclub.org/.