Joseph A. Winthrop

Joseph A. Winthrop, 84, of Honeyman Avenue, Middletown, died Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Newport Hospital.He was the husband of Jean Nicholson Winthrop, to whom he had been married for 60 years.Born in Newport, RI on December 18, 1923, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary Walpole Winthrop.Mr. Winthrop grew up in the fifth ward and attended St. Augustines School. At a young age, his father died and he began to work for long-haul trucking companies to help support his family. He enlisted in the US Army for a brief period of time. He joined the Newport Police Department and served as a police officer, retiring after 28 years. During his service he held the post of Superintendent of Vehicles. In retirement, he worked in security at Edgehill Newport for several years among other jobs. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Ellen Wilbur and her husband Bruce of Newport, RI and Jean Winthrop, also of Newport, RI; a daughter-in-law, Linda Winthrop of Middletown, RI; eight grandchildren, Patrick Hamel, Richard Hamel, Sharlene Almazan, Tracy Bolano, Amy Evans, Joseph Winthrop, Michael Burkinshaw, and Christine McCormack; five great-grandchildren, Andrew Bolano, Ella Bolano, Ryan McCormack, Matthew McCormack, and Cameron Almazan; and many nieces and nephews.He was the father of the late Joseph F. Winthrop and Rita Hamel and brother of the late James, William, and Frank Winthrop and Marita Winthrop.His funeral will be held Wednesday, July 9 at 9:00 from Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Lucy Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park, Middletown.Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 8, from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Joseph F. Winthrop Memorial Scholarship Fund, 22 Smith Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.