Joel A. Winter

Joel Alan Winter, age 81, of Tecumseh passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at home under the care of Elara Caring hospice. He was born on June 15, 1943, in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of the late Albert R. and Edith (Chason) Winter. Joel was joined in marriage to Catherine Elizabeth Seligmann in New York City on March 3, 1967, and they enjoyed 57 years together.

Joel was a professional freelancing musician who had a very quirky sense of humor, which he kept until the time of his passing. He grew up in Queens, N.Y., which is where he first picked up a French horn as a junior high school student. Joel received both his bachelors and master degrees from The Juilliard School of Music in New York. He was proud to have played in the First Air Force Band as a reservist.

After he and Cathy were married, Joel played with the Denver Symphony Orchestra and later toured with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in Oklahoma, which is where their daughter was born. He spent most of his life with his beloved wife in Connecticut and enjoyed spending summers in Maine with his family. Joel had a prolific career as a performer. He played in woodwind and brass quintets, community bands and many orchestras in Connecticut, including the Waterbury and Ridgefield Symphony Orchestras. He played in the pit of countless musicals. He was also on the first call substitute list for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and served as principal French horn player for the American Philharmonic Orchestra. He always said that for him, his most memorable musical moment was when he played in a performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. In addition to his playing career, Joel had many French horn students from the Manhattan School of Music, Yale, and beyond. Joel and Cathy frequently hosted “Orphan Thanksgiving” for his students who were far from home.

Joel and Cathy moved to Tecumseh in 2017 to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. It was totally in his character that after moving to Tecumseh, he started a French horn club and a woodwind quintet. Joel enjoyed attending the First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh with his wife. He also enjoyed shopping frequently at the local grocery, hardware and used book stores.

In addition to his wife, Catherine, Joel is survived by his daughter, Sarada (John) Marsh of Tecumseh, Mich.; grandchildren, David (Allison), Claire, Nathaniel, Alison, and Colin Marsh; and niece, Rachel (Mark) Hillman.

Besides his parents, Joel is preceded in death by his sister, Audrey Forman, and three beloved Siamese cats, Bodhi, Amy and Angel.

At his request, cremation has taken place. Memorial visitation for Joel will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10-11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Tecumseh with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA, the Tecumseh Fire Department, or to Elara Caring hospice. Online condolences may be made to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.