Howard Wincele was born on March 9, 1933 in the Bronx borough of New York City. He was the youngest of three children of Russian and Austrian immigrant parents Isidore Wincelberg and Fannie Friedman Wincelberg. Howard passed peacefully from this earth on January 23, 2016 in Laguna Hills, CA at the age of 82.

Howard was born during the Great Depression. His parents owned a grocery store and the family lived in the apartment above. Isidore died when Howard was just a teen but through the strength and will of his mother and older siblings, the family pulled together to thrive. Howard had a special bond with his mother her entire life and was a devoted son. Howard was also extremely fond of his sister Lorraine and spoke to her weekly without fail. After graduating high school, he attended The City College of New York where he not only received a degree in Accounting, but also lettered in wrestling for three years.

He secured a summer job in the Catskill Mountains and there he met his future wife, Iris Jacobs. They married and had two children, Wendy and Eric. Howard worked for a time at the grocery store in the city with his brother Murray and then later at the family hardware store and lumberyard in Livingston Manor. Marital harmony eluded the couple and they soon divorced. Howard moved to Miami Beach, Florida and began working in various industries including partnering in an auction house. Selling the auction house, he decided to pursue a career in the insurance industry. He was driven to succeed and retired from that industry after a long and successful sale career.

A friend introduced him to the love of his life, Mirtha de Rojas, and they wed in 1970. The new household included Mirtha's mother Carmen, and Mirtha's daughter Mirtha Maria. Howard was a kind and respectful son-in-law and he considered Mirtha Maria to be his child along with Wendy and Eric.

His children remember many fun summer activities with Howard and the entire family – water skiing, days at the beach, tennis, and swimming in the backyard pool. He was not a man who could easily express his feelings for his children, but the time he devoted to them when they were together demonstrated his love and pride.

Howard will also be remembered as a very patient and calm man who preferred harmony and disliked confrontation. He had an easy going style and a great sense of humor, being able to belly laugh until tears rolled down his eyes. He especially loved slapstick humor such as the Three Stooges, The Honeymooners, and Mel Brooks. Sometimes just recalling a funny scene would cause him to laugh so hard he couldn't talk.

He was a great dancer and continued to dance with Mirtha until just a year ago when they attended a "Senior Prom". They also played tennis together for many years and the tennis club became the social hub of their lives. They traveled to tennis tournaments, played doubles and singles, and made many good friends. In fact, Howard and his doubles partner twice won the USTA Florida State Championship and continued on to compete at Nationals. Despite his health set-backs throughout the years, he kept in top physical condition and continued to play tennis daily until his 80th birthday, often organizing the men's morning tennis group.

In 2014, Howard and Mirtha left Florida and moved to San Clemente. Although he suffered from serious medical issues, he rarely complained. He enjoyed the mild California summers, Pacific Ocean sunsets, and was able to spend time with children and grandchildren. His loving wife, Mirtha, cared for him at home until his passing and for this the family is eternally grateful. He will be missed.

Howard is predeceased by his parents, brother Murray Wincele, and beloved sister Lorraine Berman.

He is survived by his spouse of 45 years, Mirtha; daughter Wendy Wincele Frank (Dr. Harvey Frank); son Eric Wincele (Colleene Pavey Wincele); daughter Mirt Norgren (Mike Norgren); grandchildren Jennifer Parkhill, Tucker Wincele (Lizbeth Arevalo Wincele), Andrew Parkhill, Carey Frank, Tate Wincele, and Rachel Frank; sister-in-law Maria Donachie; nieces Cheryl Howell and Christina Prisco; nephews Steve Wincele and Elliot Wincele; dear cousins, extended family and many close, loving friends in Florida.

Memorial service to be held February 8 at 10:00 a.m. at the Niche Internment Wall of El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest, CA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at www.mskcc.org.