Longtime Englewood, Florida resident, Andrew William Wind, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on July 23, 2020.
Besides his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy “Dot” Monroe, Andy leaves behind their three children and four grandchildren: Suzanne Wind Gaskell (John), of Lyme, CT and children with her former husband, Gary Greenbaum: Jeremy and Matthew; Kevin Andrew Wind of Venice, FL; and Nancy Wind Benjamin (Keith d. 2008) of Tiburon, CA, and their children: Bruce and Peri.
Andy was the youngest of four children born to Andrew William Wind, Sr. and Mildred A. McCarthy, on November 13, 1932 in Utica, NY. His grandfather, Wybo E. Wind emigrated from the Netherlands to upstate New York in 1892. Wybo founded Wind’s Bakery in New York Mills in the late 1890s. The family-owned bakery was permanently moved to Whitesboro, NY in 1896 and operated until 1956. In its heyday, the bakery was one of the largest employers in Whitesboro with an extensive retail and wholesale business delivering “Butter-Krust” bread, fruit pies, hot-cross buns, and Dutch-inspired desserts. Even in his final days, Andy would regale you with stories about working in the family business when he was a teenager.
Andy is survived by his elder sisters: Margaret Barry (Stanley Barry, Jr. d. 2008) of East Syracuse, NY; Arlene McShane and her husband William of Fairfield Glade, TN. His sister, Lois Goodspeed and her husband Tom predeceased him. He is also survived by his first cousin, Henry “Bud” Wind of Englewood, FL who convinced Andy and Dot to retire to Englewood. To Andy, Bud was more like an older brother who taught him how to ride a bike and downhill ski. They worked together in the bakery, became formidable ski partners, and were lifelong friends.
Following graduation from Whitesboro High School in 1952, Andy entered SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY. Mid-term, he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. He was deployed to a unit in Germany where he learned Morse Code and worked as a telecommunications operator. When he returned from service, he began his retail management career, entering a training program with F. W. Woolworth.
Andy and Dot attended high school together but were not “sweethearts” until their early 20s. Their marriage in 1956 marked the beginning of an adventure that led them from New York to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and eventually Florida.
Following management positions with F. W. Woolworth in a number of locations, he worked in a supervisory capacity for several Ben Franklin stores. In 1964, he and Dot chose to move to Brattleboro, VT with their growing family as it was a central location for his territory. A few years later, he was offered a position in insurance sales with Richards, Hoffman & Clay in Brattleboro.
A retailer at heart, always dreaming of owning his own business, he and Dot were able to buy a small regional grocery store as well as a home in Saxtons River, VT in 1973, where they relocated from Brattleboro. The Saxtons River Village Market was the heart and soul of their newly adopted historic village in the Green Mountain state: a sawmill community of fewer than 500 residents, home to Vermont Academy with its 150 students, yet enjoyed by many more visitors during fall foliage. Andy, with support from his family, ran the market from 1973 to 1994, during which time they acquired, renovated and moved to a larger retail space across the street. The Wind children agree that their work ethic came from watching his steadfast dedication to the business’ success. Andy was good-natured, fair, and quick with a joke and a smile. For many customers, “shooting the sh!t” with Andy became the most anticipated part of their shopping routine.
In addition to his professional commitments, Andy was an active volunteer wherever he put down roots. As an expert alpine skier, he was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Hogback Mountain in Marlboro, VT, eventually taking on assignments at other ski areas. In his lifetime, he taught hundreds of children and adults how to ski; and if they were really lucky, he taught them how to yodel too! He was President of Brattleboro Winter Carnival in 1973 – a week-long celebration held at various local venues. The Village Market entered several award-winning floats, often political in nature, in the much-anticipated annual 4th of July parade in Saxtons River. When he and Dot retired to Park Forest in Englewood, FL, Andy co-founded the “Park Forest Rangers”: a group of retirees who help maintain the shared open space and facilities in the Park Forest community. He also served as president of the Park Forest Owners Association for a few years. Until quite recently, he volunteered with “Meals on Wheels” to deliver meals to home-bound seniors.
He loved political debate and watching MSNBC. He loved ice cream. He loved red wine and sharing new finds. He loved cooking family holiday dinners, and he made the best spaghetti and meatballs. He discovered playing bongo drums in his 80s, and he loved that, too. He loved jazz and the blues – Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis, Jr., Preservation Hall, and Judy Garland. Sometimes, he sang to his vegetable garden.
Andy’s love for Dot, however, was foremost – tremendous and absolute. Anyone who knew them could see that their marriage was as beautiful as it was rare.
His children knew what he wanted for them. Be kind, work hard, and be happy. It seems so simple, but it’s not. He made it look effortless.
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We love you forever)
(Morse Code translation)
Andy is survived by dear friends in the Park Forest community, each of whom has been so supportive of our family. The Winds wish to thank Andy’s caregivers from Tidewell Hospice and Right-at-Home for their support and care in the last week of his life.
A celebration of Andy’s life will be arranged at a later date; internment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery.
In Andy’s memory, please VOTE! in November.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Andy’s honor to any of these charities: Tidewell Hospice, the Sarasota Fire Dept./Englewood Lift & Assist, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/
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