Obituary of Otto Raymond Winkler

Otto "Ray" Winkler, 77, of Hawley, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2011. He was surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Rose Corcoran Winkler, and his six children, 13 grandchildren, brother and sisters at NEPA Hospice in the Regional Hospital of Scranton. Born in Honesdale at Wayne Memorial Hospital in 1934, he was the son of the late Otto Jr. and Marion Hazen Winkler. He was a 1952 graduate of Hawley High School and joined the Army's 39th Infantry. During his stay in the Army, Ray was a golden glove third baseman for the 39th Falcons. He was the sole proprietor of H&R Tile Contractors for more than 50 years and was referred to by many as the finest tileman in the business. He was an avid golfer, outdoorsman and country music enthusiast who loved to travel and spend time with his wife and family. He was recognized for his various athletic abilities when he was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He was a member of B.V.M. Queen of Peace Church, Hawley. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who knew him. He was a compassionate, sensitive and honest man who will be remembered by all for his huge heart, humorous stories with attention to detail and his "distinctive on-the-job whistle." Also surviving are his six children, Gina Neenan and husband, Dennis; Laurie Granville and husband, Joseph; Kathleen Strasser and husband, Gary; Robin Scartelli and husband, Ralph; Otto Richard Winkler and Robert Winkler; grandchildren, Lauren, Ryan and wife, Alexis Neenan; Daniel and Amanda Granville; Cody and Zachary Strasser; Rocco and Olivia Scartelli; Emily, Alex, Jordan, Jonathan and Jasmine Winkler; a great-granddaughter, Evie Neenan; sisters, Roseann Prigge and husband, Hank; Linda Schmalzle and husband, Henry; Louise Kuhn and husband, Lonnie; a brother, William Winkler and wife, Roberta; several nieces and nephews. The Winkler family would like to acknowledge Dr. Lisa Thomas and her assistant, Matt, Dr. Lenahan and Dr. Aronica for their outstanding love and care provided to Otto over the years of his illness. NEPA Hospice Unit at Regional Hospital of Scranton was also a great help to Otto and our family in his final days. Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at B.V.M. Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 314 Chestnut Ave., Hawley. Burial will be in B.V.M. Queen of Peace Cemetery, Hawley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis foundation ( www.NationalMSSociety) or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( www.jdrf.org).