Gary W. Winger

Gary W. Winger of Ashville, NY passed away at UPMC Hamot Hospital on August 18, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1944, the son of the late Eleanor Edeburn Winger and Samuel W. Winger. Mr. Winger was raised by his mother and stepfather, the late Merle Wilson, in New Wilmington, PA. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Coryea Winger, whom he married August 2, 1975; a daughter Kari Degnan and her husband, PJ, in Sugar Grove, PA, grandsons Logan and Mason Degnan and granddaughter Halie Krueger (Eric). He is also survived by sisters Ronda Lapp and Sharen Brown, brothers Dick and Todd Wilson, and several nieces and nephews. A son, Matthew W. Winger, passed away in 2023.

Mr. Winger received a BA degree from Ohio Northern University, where he was a member of Sigma Pi, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1967 he joined the faculty of Jamestown Community College as an instructor rising to full professor. He soon joined the administration of the college as an assistant to the Dean of the College. In 1975 he was named Dean of Administration, a position he held for 27 years, the last eight of which he was also the Executive Director of the JCC Foundation. While on sabbatical, he was the Business Officer in Residence at the National Association of College and University Business Officers in Washington, DC where he published the booklet, Community College Finance. He served twice as Interim President of JCC. He was a founding director of the JCC Foundation.

After retiring he joined Compass Consulting, Inc as coprincipal with his good friend and colleague, Tom Murphy, providing administrative consulting services to several community colleges. In 2019 he was appointed interim Vice President of Administrative Services at Corning Community College. For over twenty years, Mr. Winger was a board member of Lake Shore Savings Bank, serving for several years as Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Winger was active in community service in the Jamestown area for many years. He served as campaign chairman of the United Way and on the boards of the Adult Day Care Center, the Dispute Settlement Center and the YWCA where he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for several years. He was also a member of the Town of North Harmony Zoning Board and Planning Board.

Mr. Winger enjoyed classical music, gardening, travel, family get togethers and watching his grandsons' sporting events. He and his wife also enjoyed their campsite at the Vikings on Lake Chautauqua and their winter trips to Florida.

Visiting hours will be held at Lind Funeral Home, 805 W. Third St, Jamestown, NY 14701 on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Matthew W. Winger Memorial Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation which supports the Humane Society, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY, 14701, or the JCC Foundation, 525 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701, or to a charity of one's choice.