Robert H. Winstanley

Robert H. Winstanley, 96 of New Canaan, CT passed away on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, 2021 after a fight with cancer. Not to say the cancer got the better of him, he lived a long and wonderful life, building both a beautiful family and lasting legacy. Bob, as he was more formally known, was born September 20, 1924 in Yonkers, N.Y. and soon after moved to Norwalk, CT where he graduated from Norwalk High School in 1942 and also met his lifelong love, Jean Podzelni.

Soon after graduating, Bob was drafted into WWII. His military career lasted from May of 1943 to January, 1946, during which he served as a sergeant in the 75th Infantry Division in the European theater in campaigns in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Colmar Pocket, liberated areas in both Belgium and Germany effectively ending the war, and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for action under enemy fire.

After returning from war, Bob married Jean Podzelni in February of 1946, participated in the 1948 U.S. Olympic soccer trials, and earned a degree from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. in 1948. He began his career at the New York Trust Company in New York City from 1948 to 1950, and then worked at the National Cash Register Company until 1964 when he joined the new Norwalk National Bank as Vice President and Cashier. In 1969, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company of Norwalk (formerly

Norwalk National Bank) and later served as President of Citizens National Bank of Fairfield. He finished his career as Executive Vice President of New Canaan Bank and Trust before establishing his own company, Aircraft Finance and Marketing, Inc. with his son, Paul.

Bob was a member of the New Canaan Dance Club, the New Canaan and Norwalk Rotary Club and the New Canaan Sports Council. He had a calm and commanding presence, and, most importantly, he always knew how to make everyone laugh. He enjoyed flying airplanes, skiing, a wellmade Manhattan cocktail, and above all watching his family enjoy vacations together. He could often be found behind the camera lens, grilling up holiday feasts or wiggling his nose for his grandchildren’s delight.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Jean Winstanley, 96 of New Canaan, his daughter, Lynn Ryan and her husband Larry of Hockessin, Delaware, his son, Paul Winstanley and his wife Tammy of Redding, Connecticut, as well as his loving granddaughters, Alyssa and Danielle. Due to the current pandemic, services will be held privately.