Winthrop Slate Hawkins

Winthrop Slate Hawkins, 95, of Mansfield, CT, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2016. He was born on October 17, 1921 to the late Minnie and Harold Hawkins.

As a young man, Winthrop proudly served in the European Theater during WWII from September 1943 to December 1945. Upon his return, he and his devoted wife, Ethel, settled in Mansfield Center. Together they owned and operated Village Treat Restaurant for thirty-three years. The restaurant was a community gathering place for friends and family. Many lifelong relationships were formed during those working years. In addition, Winthrop was an avid volunteer with the Mansfield Fire Department and a member of the Mansfield Historical Society.

Upon retirement, Winthrop enjoyed spending time traveling with cherished friends or relaxing at his and Ethel’s beach cottage in Wells, Maine. Early morning walks along the beach and a dive into the frigid waters kept him young for many years. He was happiest when enjoying the outdoors surrounded by those he loved.

Winthrop will be dearly missed by his daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and John Ahearn of West Hartford, as well as by his son Alan and his wife Paulette of Mansfield. Winthrop was blessed with three grandsons and a granddaughter and seven great grandchildren: Brendan Ahearn and wife Jennifer and great grandsons, Collin and Grayson of Warwick, Rhode Island; Michael Ahearn and wife Katie and great grandchildren, Madeline and Graham of Farmington, CT; Stephen Ahearn and Jori Bittner and great granddaughter, Elin of Dallas, TX; Jennifer Mott and husband Ronald and great grandchildren, Bronwyn and Ethan of Mansfield. Winthrop is also survived by his twin brother, Winston Hawkins and wife, Norma of Mansfield; his sisters-in-law, Louise Hawkins of Florida, and Rita Hawkins of Manchester, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Along with his loving wife of 71 years Ethel, Winthrop was predeceased by his siblings: Harold Hawkins, Amy Inman, Dorothy Bailey, Leland Hawkins, Albert Hawkins all of Mansfield; Willis Hawkins of Newington and Virginia Bolduc of Willimantic.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the care extended to Winthrop by the nurses and resident aides at Brookdale at Mountain Laurel in Glastonbury, the compassion and support received from the VITAS Hospice team, and especially to Ann Marie, his loving caregiver for the last five months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Winthrop’s name to: The Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or The Mansfield Historical Society, PO Box 145, Storrs, CT 06268-0145.

His family will receive relatives and friends Friday, December 2, 2016 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT with procession to First Church of Christ Mansfield Congregational, 549 Storrs Rd. (Rte.195 and Rte. 89) for a funeral service to begin at 11:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Mansfield Center Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Mansfield, CT. 

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