Obituary of Phil Winn

Philip Donald Winn, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Aaron Benjamin Winn and the late Etta Anna (Goldstein) Winn. Phil was a graduate of New Britain High School; following high school graduation, he briefly attended Boston University before being drafted into the Army and serving in the South Pacific until 1945. After, he went on to graduate from the University of Michigan earning a B.S. in Mathematics in 1948. It was there at the University of Michigan that he met the love of his life, Eleanor (Elle) Feigensohn Winn who he was married to for over 68 years. Phil had a remarkable career. After graduating from college, he and Elle settled in Seattle, Washington. In 1956, they moved to Denver, CO where they would reside for much of their life. Phil worked for Witkin Homes and served as their Senior Vice President from 1964-1976. Following that, he was the Chairman of the Board of Philip D. Winn and Associates from 1976-1988, and during that time he also acted as the Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party from 1979-1981. In 1981, under the Reagan administration Phil was appointed Assistant Secretary, Federal Housing Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Washington D.C. From 1983-1984, he was a member of the Federal National Mortgage Advisory Council. In 1988, Phil was selected as the Ambassador of Switzerland serving as such until 1989. He received many awards in his life including “Man of the Year” for the Home Builder’s Association in 1971 and “Citizen of the Year” in 1981 from the Colorado Association of Housing and Building. One of Phil’s greatest accomplishments in his long life was he and his wife Elle’s association with The Bridge Project at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Phil co-founded the Bridge Project in 1991. He was a top leader, donor, advisor and friend over its 25 year history. He is responsible for impacting the lives of thousands of children and youth that reside in public housing as they have been lifted out of poverty. Phil had a passion for traveling the world with Elle, jogging, hiking, and a great appreciation of music. Most of all, Phil’s greatest pleasure was being with family and friends. His strength and spirit will be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his loving wife Elle, Phil is survived by their two children, daughter Donna and her husband Wesley Anderegg, and son Jordan and his wife Janica; three grandchildren, Allegra (Jared) Searcy, Jackson Winn, and Izzy Anderegg. Loving brother of the late Miriam Gere. Phil also leaves two nieces Suzi (Rocky) Miller, and Debi (Peter) Miller and a nephew, Mark (Martha) Pohl. His funeral will be held on Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at 11:00AM at Feldman Mortuary, 1673 York Street Denver, CO. Private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Bridge Project, University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work: www.denverbridgeproject.org. Shiva will take place on Sunday, January 29th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in the reception hall at Kent Place Residences, 3465 South Gaylord Court, Englewood, CO 80113.