Jan Harris Wines

Jan Harris Wines of Croton on Hudson, NY, passed away on October 15, 2018 in Manhattan. He was born in Brooklyn in 1942 to Andrew (“Roger”) and Katharine (Duffy) Wines. He grew up in Brooklyn and Hempstead, Long Island. He attended Holy Name and Our Lady of Loretto grammar schools and Hempstead High School. After serving in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1966, Jan married his teenage sweetheart, Barbara P. Ruddy, in 1967. Jan went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehman College of CUNY and Masters in Environmental Health Sciences from the Polytechnic Institute of New York.

Jan, in childhood, is described by family as having been a delightful boy, a cheery companion and friend, enthusiastic Boy Scout, ardent Brooklyn Dodger fan (an allegiance he happily transferred later to the Mets). He maintained a sense of wonderment, curiosity, and optimism for the people and places he encountered throughout his life.

Jan began his career in water treatment in 1962 with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. In 1976, Jan became the Water Superintendent of the Montrose Improvement District, and later the Director of the Northern Westchester Joint Waterworks. In 2002, Jan retired when he and his wife Barbara volunteered for the US Peace Corps, spending two years in Etropole, Bulgaria. Jan worked with the town on its environmental issues while Barbara taught English at the Etropole high school. In 2004, after returning from the Peace Corps, Jan unretired and started a consulting firm addressing water system infrastructures. From 2004 until his second retirement in 2017, he worked with the Village of Croton on Hudson on multiple projects to upgrade their water system. Starting in 2008 until his passing, he taught NY State water operator certification courses at Westchester Community College.

Always deeply concerned with environmental issues, Jan believed greenways and walking trails were essential to the people of the village and county. He was actively involved with helping to protect and enhance local waterfronts, green spaces, and hiking trails. Starting in 1992, and serving until his passing, he was the Chair of the Croton Trails Committee.

Avid travelers, Jan and Barbara devoted much of their later years exploring more than twenty countries. They loved the adventure and the people they met, making lasting friendships along the way. Most recently, Jan had traveled with his brother to Germany and had been brushing up on his Russian in preparation for an upcoming trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg before he became too ill to continue. He loved music, played guitar, wrote songs, and was also a published author of family history.

Jan was predeceased by Barbara, his loving wife and best friend of 50 years, who passed away in February of this year. Jan is survived by his brother, Roger Wines, sister, Donna Sauer; and by his daughter, Amy, son Kevin and partner Martina, loving granddaughter Kiersten; and numerous nieces and nephews, some living as neighbors in Croton. Jan and Barbara created a deeply warm and openhearted home, welcoming many generations of family and friends throughout their lifetime together.

Visitation will be held at Edward Carter Funeral Home in Croton on Hudson, Friday, October 26, 4pm to 8pm. Due to space restraints at the chapel, a private memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 27, at 11am, at Bethel Chapel in Croton, followed by interment open to all at Bethel Cemetery at noon. A gathering to follow at 1pm at the loving home of Jan and Barbara. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org.