John Patrick Winston, age 59, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, role model and friend, died Saturday, February 27, 2021 at UPMC Hamot after a hard-fought battle with a major illness. A resident of McKean, John was born in Erie on July 30, 1961, one of nine children of the late John Patrick Winston and Theresa Ann Barczynski Winston.
John valued family and strove to keep relationship ties strong, organizing family events like fishing derbies, Christmas parties and bonfires. His family will always have many special memories and a close bond because of all that he invested in them. They could always depend on his support, as he demonstrated by being an active supporter onstage, backstage, and in the audience as his son was involved in local theater. John was a skilled craftsman and woodworker, and he used those gifts for both small and large projects which he gave generously to all the family. As a nature lover, John was often hiking with his wife Chandra near and far from home, or in the outdoors fishing. He also enjoyed brewing his own beer and reading books.
A proud Penn State Nittany Lion, John enjoyed a successful 35-year career as a Radiological Health Physicist with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection. During those years, he mentored many junior staff regarding the proper methods and procedures to inspect dental, medical and industrial facilities. John also assisted and counseled many dentists, technologists, doctors, and clinicians on how to perform equipment quality assurance to reduce patient radiation exposure, while optimizing image quality. He led the recent effort to update the DEP?s medical X-ray regulations. Always contributing to progress in radiological safety, John used his expertise to serve on and/or Chair numerous committees for over 20 years, including the Healing Arts Council, the Program Area Committee on Radiation Protection, the NCRP Scientific Committee 4-6, and the Suggested State Regulations, Part F, and was a liaison to The American Association of Physicists in Medicine for many years.
Recognized by his professional peers for his dedicated work in his field, John was a key organizer, Chairperson and Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic States Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors that has since brought together key regulators from several states for regular training and to discuss current issues for the protection of the public, patients, workers, and the environment from ionizing radiation. For his years of committee work and leadership, he was awarded CRCPD?s two top awards ? the Parker award (2003) and the Miller Award (2013) – for merit and significant contribution to his field.
A nationally recognized expert in X-ray radiation protection, John drafted regulations on X-ray producing machines used in the Commonwealth and coauthored PA studies on fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and dental panoramic X-rays. As a member of the Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation Standards Working Group on Medical Radiation, he was charged with writing the Federal Guidance Report No. 14: Radiation Protection Guidance for Diagnostic and Interventional X-Ray Procedures. Recently, he published NCRP guidance on shielding of the fetus and patient gonads during X-ray exams.
Although his professional contributions were numerous, and friends and colleagues will miss his advice on technical matters, they will just as much miss his humor, his kindness and his quiet personal counsel on any subject that life might present.
Those that survive to mourn his loss include his loving wife, Chandra L. Morgan Winston; son, Daniel Winston of Meadville; daughter, Taylor Wittmaak (fianc? Dylan Alasky) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his siblings– Melanie A. Overmoyer and her husband Dennis, of Wesleyville, JoAnne Dibell and her husband Richard, of Waterford, James C. Winston and his husband Xavier IrAal, of Carmel Valley, CA, Mary V. (Vickie) Lippold and her husband Gregory, of Bentleyville, PA, Theresa (Tracy) Greenman and her husband Scott, of Waterford, and Jacqueline Smith and her husband Gerald, of Grove City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Patrick Winston, and a sister, Kelly Urhmacher.
Friends are invited to visiting hours at Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Wednesday from 4 – 8 p.m.
We are sorry for your loss. We would like to offer our condolences.
I am greatly saddened by the loss of John. He was such a kind and generous person and I know your loss is tremendous. My prayers and love to you all.
My sincere condolences to the family during this time of loss. I admired John’s expertise and guidance and he was always willing to take time to expound on requirements in the Imaging field. John touched many lives and he will be missed by many.
John was a high school friend and college roommate, and provided some of the best memories I have from that period. He was kind, smart, and very funny. I am forever grateful for his friendship back then, and grieved to learn of his passing. I have no doubt that John continued to improve everyone around him. My condolences to his family.
Our sincerest condolences to all the Winston family. May your memories of him bring you comfort in the days to come. Our deepest sympathy.
Taylor and Chandra I am so very sorry to read of John’s passing. Although I only had the pleasure of meeting him once it was obvious what a warm, loving, intelligent person he was. I know how much he loved you both and how much he was loved in return. My condolences to you and to the rest of his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a great friend and we spent many hours together at Mct. The world has lost another good man.
Prayers for peace at this time Chandra, Dan and Taylor. The way he looked at each of you with love will always be in our hearts. We enjoyed John immensely as part of MCT and the elite DDA gang. He helped us on numerous sets, back stage, at the bar…….we are sadden for yours and the worlds’ loss of this man with a spark in his eye and a joke on his lips and love in his heart. Our memories of him will be filled with laughter and smiles. Thank you John for that.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to John’s family and to everyone who were blessed to have known and loved him. I had the privilege of working with John at the DEP in Meadville for many years. He was a very special person and I am so thankful for the memories, especially our many lunches together with our lunch gang. I feel so honored to have known him. This is such a huge loss. Farewell my friend.
Sending prayers to John?s family. I have many happy memories of John through CRCPD and NERHC meetings. He will be greatly missed. RIP my friend.
My sincerest condolences to Chandra and family.
Positive, healing vibes & blessings always?
My sympathy and prayers are with all of you. I will always remember the fun family times we shared. With love to all, Francie
Chandra and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. May the good Lord be with you and give you strength and faith at this sad time and always.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of our cousin, John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My most sincere condolences for the loss of a wonderful human being. John was not only a brilliant man, but also someone who always took the time to be helpful and caring. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.
My prayers are with your family very sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family. He will be greatly missed by those who had the opportunity to work with him at DEP.
I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to Melanie, JoAnne, Jim, Vickie, Tracy and Jackie. I share your sadness.