Obituary of Harry C. Winslow III

HARRY C. WINSLOW III After 80 tremendous years on this earth, Harry C. Winslow III passed away peacefully on May 3. He was born on February 26, 1941, in Ford City, PA, and was raised in a loving home by his mother Dorothy Winslow, his grandparents and dear aunts. He attended IUP, where he earned his degree in English and, more importantly, met the love of his life, Lois Kuzma, on a blind date. They married on December 26, 1967, and made their home in Edgewood. Harry became an English teacher and spent the major part of his career teaching at Gateway High School in Monroeville. In addition to teaching, he took on many extracurricular jobs at the school, including coaching cross country and softball and working as senior class advisor; some of his favorite memories of his Gateway years were helping to stage a high school production of "Saturday Night Live" and the many proms he chaperoned. He also helped develop the high school's writing center, a unique and forward-thinking education innovation, for which he was justly proud. These roles and his willingness to mentor and help guide young people gave him purpose and great satisfaction. Harry's teaching schedule allowed for summers off, and he and Lois and their two children, Jonathan and Kate, took advantage of that time by spending every summer in a family home in the Florida Keys. Harry loved the relaxed, casual island life and spent much of his time fishing, boating and boning up on his Hemingway trivia. He and Lois also loved camping and traveling through Europe, including many memorable visits with their French family in Toulouse, a special trip with their granddaughter Guinevere and, most recently, a sailing trip to Greece with dear Pittsburgh friends. Closer to home, Harry loved fishing and camping, exploring the woods and waterways of Clear Creek State Park, Allegheny National Forest and the Outer Banks. He was happiest with a fishing rod in one hand, a cold beer in the other, while making his wife laugh. Harry was also devoted to service and community volunteering, including several years as a Democratic committee person. A dedicated runner for many years, he helped organize the Edgewood 5K race, which was popular for many years. After he retired, he volunteered many hours to Meals on Wheels, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and other environmental groups. Harry was a hard worker, a caring and dedicated teacher, a beloved husband, a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a loyal and fun-loving friend. Everyone who met him knew him to be a gentleman and a man of integrity. Harry is survived by his wife Lois, his son Jonathan Winslow of Englewood, CO; his daughter Kate Winslow, son-in-law Guy Ambrosino and grandson Elio of Lambertville, NJ; his grandaughter Guinevere Winslow Higgins, grandson-in-law Kiel Higgins and great-granddaughter Naomi of Castle Rock, CO; his brother-in-law Stephen Kuzma of Freedom, PA; and his cousin Jay Weaver and family in Ford City. The family will receive friends at Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home Inc. 7441 Washington Street, Swissvale on Thursday, May 6, from 2–4 pm and from 6–8 pm. A Blessing service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Another brief visitation will be held before the burial on Friday, May 7, from 10-11 a.m. at Mantini Funeral Home 701 6th Ave. Ford City, PA 16226. Prayer service will be held at the funeral home Friday morning at 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ Prince of Peace Church with Father Alan Grote officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to UpstreamPgh (formerly Nine Mile Run Watershed Association) or the C.C. Mellor Memorial Library of Edgewood would be appreciated.