Sherman S. Winn

Sen. Sherman S. Winn Feb. 18, 1923 - June 2, 2008 The Honorable Senator Sherman S. Winn was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on February 18, 1923. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and devoted friend to many. Senator Winn served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was married to his loving wife of 64 years, Roslyn. Together they have four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The Winns have been residents of Miami-Dade County since 1956. Former Mayor of the City of North Miami (1965-1969), Senator Winn was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1970. In 1972 he was elected to the Florida Senate and was subsequently re-elected in 1974, and again in 1978. He served as vice chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee for eight years and assisted the Florida Department of Commerce with vital tourism legislation. Senator Winn served as the chairman of the Senate Executive Business Committee (1978-80) and as president pro tempore of the Florida Senate (1977-78). Senator Winn served on the prestigious Dade County Tourist Development Council, one of the foremost tourist promotion authorities in the state of Florida. In 1980, Senator Winn was appointed and served on the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel Advisory Board (1980-82). As executive director of the Sunny Isles Resort Association, he represented hotels totaling more than 7,000 rooms and was a member and founder of the Greater Miami Hotel and Motel Association. His concern for the welfare of the tourist and hotel industry caused him to found the Sherman S. Winn Scholarship Fund in 1965, which helped students at Florida International and Florida State universities continue their education in hotel and restaurant management. With unwavering commitment to public service, Senator Winn served as a member of the Miami-Dade County Commission for over 10 years. During that time Senator Winn served as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, Dade County Tourism Committee and the Government Relations Committee. The Senator served as a member of the Finance Committee and the Environmental and Land Use Committee. Honored for his activities on behalf of the community, Senator Winn was the recipient of a number of awards for his community service, including Outstanding Man of the Year of Dade County, the City of Hope Life Humanitarian Award, the Florida State University Distinguished Service Award and the United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Service Award, and he was voted South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year, as well as the Prestigious state of Florida Favorite Son Award. In addition, he was presented an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, from Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in appreciation for his efforts on their behalf. In 1983, the Florida State Legislature honored him by naming the bridge to Sunny Isles on the 196th Street Causeway the "Sherman S. Winn Bridge." Further, the City of North Miami and Miami-Dade County named N.E. 151st Street and Biscayne Boulevard "Senator Sherman S. Winn Way" in 1987. Along with his outstanding public service, Senator Winn always championed the efforts of those less fortunate and was willing to give a second chance to citizens ready to make a change in their lives for the better. The Senator Sherman S. Winn Rehabilitation Center, known as the "Winn Center" was dedicated in honor of his outstanding concern and achievements on behalf of all handicapped residents of Dade County by the Board of Directors of the Northwest Dade Mental Health Organization. For his outstanding work and involvement with transplants, The Senator Sherman S. Winn Transplant Award and Annual Golf Tournament evolved and realized great contributions to transplant medicine. Above all, Senator Sherman Winn was a dedicated family man, who spent his life unselfishly providing a warm and happy home to each and every member of his loving family. The Senator passed away early Monday morning, June 2, 2008, peacefully at home with his wife at his side. He is survived by his adoring wife, Roslyn, of Miami; his son, Stephen Winn of Tallahassee; and his daughters, Jacqueline Friedman of Sunny Isles Beach and Susan Winn of Southwest Ranches. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday, June 5, at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel. Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel (305-935-3939) is located at 20955 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL 33180 (across from the Aventura Hospital). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Sherman S. Winn to the Patricia Lee Winn Emergency Assistance Fund, Attn: Andrea Wright-Banks, c/o CCDH Inc., 9555 North Kendall Drive, Suite 206, Miami, FL 33176. This fund assists families and individuals with disabilities.