Benjamin Thomas Winsor, veteran, retired priest

Rev. Benjamin Thomas Winsor, 90, of Lewes, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. He was born June 8, 1934, in Providence, R.I., the fourth child of DeWitt and Elizabeth (Barton) Winsor.

The family moved to Greenville, R.I., in early 1944. Benjamin attended St. Dunstan's, a church-affiliated choir school, before attending high school. He was a graduate of Rhode Island College of Education. He taught until he was drafted into military service in the Army, serving two years stationed in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Ben entered the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass. Initially serving in the youth ministry of Grace Church in Providence, R.I., Rev. Ben was assigned to parishes in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area. After serving for over 30 years, he retired from the ministry and began working as an addictions counselor with the Allegheny County Treatment Alternative and the program for female offenders.

Ben was a Freemason for 67 of his 90 years and was also a Shriner.

Ben retired to Lewes, where he enjoyed surf-fishing and spending time on the water in his pontoon boat. He was always ready to share what he had with anyone who needed it, and his ever-present smile and charismatic laugh warmed every room he entered.

Benjamin is survived by his children: his sons, Brian of Framingham, Mass., Jeffrey and wife Denise of Biloxi, Miss., and Matthew, wife Kathryn, and granddaughter Samantha of Lizton, Ind.; daughters, Kimberly of Lehigh Acres, Fla., and Deborah of Lewes; his brothers, Philip and wife Carol of Aiken, S.C., and David and wife Lilla of Barrington, R.I. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Mary (Roy), Betsey Ann (Neason), Audrey (Sawyer) and Gordon; and ex-wife and friend, Barbara Winsor.

All services are private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Rev. Benjamin’s name to a local ASPCA, bvspca.org/ways-to-give; or the National Humane Society for Animal Rescue, nationalhumanesociety.org, two organizations that were dear to him.

Visit Benjamin’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.