Ben Winstanley remembered

WARWICK — Ben Winstanley, a former Greenwood Lake mayor, Orange County legislator, designer of the Orange County Veterans Cemetery Monument and Warwick’s 2011-2012 Citizen of the Year, died Monday, July 16. He was 79.

Winstanley considered the Veterans Cemetery Monument on Craigville Road in Goshen “the pride and joy of my political and creative career.”

Additional community involvement included 12 years as volunteer fireman with a term as President of the Greenwood Lake Fire Department; member of Greenwood Lake American Legion; Past Director of Greenwood Lake Youth Commission, member of Greenwood Lake’s Lions Club and Past President of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club;

He was a member of the Greenwood Lake Village Board from 1971 to 1981, including serving as mayor of Greenwood Lake from 1978 to 1981.

Winstanley represented the 10th Legislative District (Town of Warwick and the Villages of Greenwood Lake and Warwick) in the Orange County Legislature for 16 years, where he was Chairman of Ways & Means Committee for two years; Chair of Health & Mental Health Committee for five years and Community Development Chairman for four years.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955.

An outstanding baseball player, Winstanley was scouted and offered a tryout by the New York Giants.

During his career as a graphic artist, Winstanley headed the art department for the combined Brooklyn and New York City Sears Art Department and later owned his own advertising agency. He was television anchor for Warwick’s local nightly news broadcast for five years.

His obituary appears on page 16 of this week’s newspaper.

‘Ben will be missed’ We asked a number of people who knew Winstanley for their thoughts on the man. Here’s what they had to say:

“Ben was a kind, multi-talented, community-spirited individual who always put others ahead of himself. I feel honored that he considered me a friend.”

- Stan Martin, retired Straus Newspaper editor and publisher .

“Ben was our first advertising agency at Leo Kaytes Ford over 34 years ago and I am proud to say that we remained friends all these years. To know Ben was to know he did good things for people and the community without fanfare. I was co-chair with Stan Martin when we, the Rotary Club, were honored to name Ben as Warwick Citizen of the year. May he and Gen, who predeceased him, rest in peace.”

- Leo Kaytes, chairman of Leo Kaytes Ford.

"Ben truly cared about his Greenwood Lake Community. After Gen, his one true love,the Village held his heart and soul."

- Greenwood Lake Mayor Barbara Moore

“I am saddened and heavy hearted to hear of Ben’s passing. His wisdom and experience was enlightening. He stood strong and made the hard choices in the best interest of his constituents. His unwavering support for the protection of Greenwood Lake and its continued enjoyment is commendable. I will forever remember him; he was a very dear friend to me. Rest in peace Ben.”

- State Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt.

“Sad news. Ben meant so much to so many of us. He and his wife Gen were Greenwood Lakes’ heart and soul. Over his political career he served the people of Greenwood Lake as mayor and the people of the Town and Village of Warwick as County Legislator. He was a strong, vital leader. Ben continued his county work over seeing and working with the Office of Community Development which is the disbursement agency for federal dollars from HUD.

“Personally ,Ben was a mentor and as a fledgling mayor he offered much wise, sound advice. I appreciated his impromptu visits to my office -just checking in. Ben always read my meeting minutes and was always aware what was going on in the Village of Warwick He was in touch and a true representative to his constituents.

“He was also a great baseball fan and was at every opening day Little League Parade. It was Ben who gave the kid’s the opening day declaration, ‘Play ball!’ I have so many fond memories and I’m grateful to have learned so much and to have worked with him.”

- Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard.

“Ben was a dear and trusted friend for many years. And he always did the right thing.

“While we will miss him, let’s remember, ‘The Best Is Yet To Come.’ Translated - he is back with his beloved Gen.”

- Singer/radio personality Dick Wells and his wife, Diane.

“Ben was a fiercely loyal and good friend. He was a public servant who contributed to the youth and citizens of the Village of Greenwood Lake, the Town of Warwick and Orange County for many decades. We will miss him.”

- Town of Warwick Justice Nancy DeAngelo and her husband, Councilman Floyd DeAngelo.

“The Village of Greenwood Lake and Town of Warwick has lost a truly good and honest man who has done a great deal for our community. Ben will be sadly missed.”

- Town of Warwick Deputy Supervisor Jim Gerstner.

“Ben will be missed. His greatest strength was that he never forgot that his job was to serve the people who elected him. He always took their calls and always followed up until he got results. He now rests with his first love Gen but will always remain in the hearts of his beloved Greenwood Lake.

“Ben and I didn’t always agree on issues but in the end we became friends who shared a commitment to serving the Town we loved. This past May, when I was honored by Greenwood Forest Farms, there was Ben who, despite his illness, wanted to join in the celebration. I was truly honored.”

– Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton.

By Roger Gavan