George James Winson

George J. Winson, 93, of Sherman Ave., Bristol, RI, died peacefully at home on Wednesday evening, September 19, 2007.Born in London, England, a son of the late George and Florence Mole Winson, he immigrated permanently to the United States in 1966 and eventually became a U.S. citizen. He had lived in Bristol for the past fourteen years.He was the beloved husband of Gail Winson. The two were soul mates and inseparable since meeting thirty-six years ago. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Rita Blanche Winson, of Canterbury, England. He was the brother of the late Donald Winson, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.A veteran of the British Royal Artillery serving from 1934-1946, he was a former Japanese Prisoner of War during WWII. He escaped from Singapore after the Japanese attacked, but was later captured and was part of the ?British Sumatra Battalion,? a group of POWs which passed through five countries during their captivity Malaya, Sumatra, Burma, Siam and Indo-China and was the only British contingent to work on the infamous ?Railway of Death? from the Burma end of the line. He was a lifelong physical culturist who exercised regularly and was a member of the former RI Hardbodies gym in Bristol. He had a lifetime love of learning and reading, especially in the area of metaphysics.Mr. Winson was a Far East Regional Manager in the Export/Import Industry for many years and also worked for various companies in the U.S. before retiring.Funeral services will be private.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Services of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871.Arrangements by Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.