Joseph (Joe) C. Winter, 72, a wise and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on November 6, 2020, at his home in Seabrook, Texas.  Joe was highly respected by all, never met a stranger and always had joke or two to tell.

 

Joe was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 10, 1948 to Myra and Joe Menduni and was later, after their divorce, adopted and raised by Myra and Frank Winter.   Because of Frank Winter’s distinguished military service, Joe’s upbringing led him to his unsurpassed love for his country and a strong sense of patriotism.  It also allowed him to experience life in other countries and across the United States.  Joe always referred to himself as a “military brat” and was proud of it.

 

Joe had two children, Joseph A. Winter and Kathryn Mary Winter, and later met the love of his life, Dana.  Dana and Joe were to have celebrated their 27^th year of marriage on the day of Joe’s passing.  With Dana by his side, there was nothing they could not conquer together.

 

Joe began his professional career as a bank Fraud Investigator in Michigan.    When Joe learned the whereabouts of his biological father, he traveled and ultimately settled in Houston, Texas to begin a relationship with his father and siblings.  He furthered his passion for criminal justice by attaining the rank of Captain at the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s office.   He was introduced to the private investigative field and soon after, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own company. After over 40 years, Joe had a long and successful career as a private investigator and was fortunate to have retired recently in March of 2020.

 

Throughout this time Joe was active in both the investigative field and his local community.  Most recently he had served on the Board of Directors as the Co-Chair for Business of the Gulf Coast Criminal Investigators Association.  He was initially appointed to the City of Seabrook Texas Public Safety Commission.  After completion of that term he was appointed to the Charter Review Commission and subsequently was appointed to the Civil Service Commission.

 

Joe was very passionate about the water whether it be boating, tournament fishing in Mazatlan with his friends, enjoying the bay view from their home in Seabrook or the ocean view from their home away from home in Bailey Island, Maine. As he did everywhere, Joe made many close friends in Maine and looked forward to spending his summers there.

 

As with many, his passion for life was only matched by his passion for family.  Joe’s life was a strange and beautiful story.  Joe was predeceased by his parents, Myra and Frank Winter, his father, Joe Menduni, his daughter, Kathryn Galmiche and his brother, Frank Winter. He is survived by his wife, Dana Winter, daughter and son in love, Nora Winter and Jack Coker, and son Joseph A. Winter.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Joey Winter, Brittani Winter Tate and husband Zach Tate, Tony Galmiche, Jamie Winter and Kaitlyn Winter; great-grandchildren Jude Tate, Lennon Tate and Maisie Tate; brothers Michael Menduni and wife Mary Menduni, Steve Menduni and wife Beth Menduni; Sisters Karen Rippy, Kathy Anspaas, and Belinda Szymtke and husband Mike Szymtke and brother-in-law Bill Dittmann and wife Tara.  Joe also leaves behind numerous “favorite” nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and many devoted friends.

 

Joe has made his last trip to Dunkin Donuts for a large hot coffee with cream and sugar.

 

A visitation and Celebration of Life for Joe Winter will be held at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX 77598, on Tuesday, November 10, beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers if you wish, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.