David J. Winn, known to his childhood friends as Flynn and to everyone else as Dave, left his earthly bonds on December 1, 2025, after 71 years of adventurous living.
Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on January 23, 1954, to James Winn and Kathryn Stiffy Winn, he grew up south of Pittsburgh, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1971. College led him to Florida, where he settled in Fort Pierce and became an electronics technician for copiers and computers. An extended vacation to fish all over North America ended with his moving to Ohio for most of the 1990’s, where he owned a small computer company. 2000 led him back to Fort Pierce, Florida, where he became a field tech for CareFusion hospital support until his retirement in 2016.
Dave was a tireless fisherman and lifelong boat owner. Believing that the “only perfect boat is a fleet,” over the years he piloted inboard, outboard, and stern drive power boats, canoes and kayaks. Although he was known for landing big fish, his most prized catch was his sole bonefish, caught site-casting in the Florida Keys, a singular joy to saltwater fishermen.
Rounding out those hobbies, he also built custom fishing rods and, in retirement, partnered in a boat customization company. From 2017 through 2025, he spent much of his summers in the Great Lakes area, pit crewing for a boat racing team based in Ohio.
When his feet touched land, he played in both steel- and soft-tip dart leagues for many years, and he loved NASCAR racing. His pride of 2023 and 2024 was the success of his alligator hunting team… several catches over 10 feet. He loved to travel, visiting the four corners of North America, and much of what lay in between.
Dave is survived by his life partner, Merrily Dee Minardi, nieces Amy Ackerman (Edward) Copus and Janet Ackerman (Robert) Bandi, brother-in-law Ray Ackerman, four great nephews, stepbrother Roger (Carol) Hoge, and an army of lifelong friends spread from Alaska to the Florida Keys. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Al Hoge, and sister Kathleen Winn Ackerman.
Funeral arrangements will be private. A Celebration of Life is planned for early 2026. In lieu of flowers, Dave would be prefer contributions be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation.