60 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2021
OBITUARY
JOSEPH WINTERS LEADING LI CARTER
BY BRIANA BONFIGLIO
Joseph Winters, owner of Winter Bros. Waste Systems
of Long Island, died on Jan. 5 after a short battle with
Covid-19. He was 54.
Winters was a lifelong part of the family business,
founded by his father and then owned by Winters and
his brothers, Sean, Jimmy, Michael, and Andrew. He
championed providing opportunities to individuals
with autism, which his son, Sean, now in his 20s, was
diagnosed with at age 2.
“Our family has lost a loving, caring and dedicated
husband, father, brother and uncle,” the Winters family
wrote in a statement. “Long Island has lost a true icon
and philanthropist.”
“Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know
and work with Joe have lost a dear friend and source
of inspiration,” they continued. “Joe leaves behind a
company and a team that only he could have built with
such determination and direction of excellence that
would make anyone proud.”
Winters learned all about the family’s local garbage
hauling business on Long Island as a child. Eventually,
he and his brothers joined the growing company
and took it over when his father, “Big Jim,” retired.
The five brothers grew the business to other states
in the northeast, but kept their focus on Long Island.
Winters Bros. employs more than 500 people and has
400 collection vehicles, 14 transfer stations, and 12
recycling centers.
When Winters’ son, Sean, was diagnosed with autism
in 1996, the family was living in Vermont. They drove
more than 300 miles to Smithtown for treatment and
later decided to move to Long Island. The experience
with his son encouraged Winters to hire people with
developmental disabilities at Winters Bros. The company
soon became known for its strong support of people
with autism.
Last year, Winters embarked on the next step in helping
the autistic community. He and his family, joined by
local elected officials, broke ground on the Winters
Center for Autism in West Babylon in August 2020.
The nonprofit will help those on the autism spectrum
with job creation, training, and placement programs.
Winters is survived by his wife, Michelle, and two sons,
Patrick and Sean.
In remembrance of Joe Winters’ life and legacy of
Joseph Winters helped found Winter Bros. Waste
Systems of Long Island. (Photo courtesy of Winter
Bros.)
helping people with autism, the family asks that charitable
donations be made to the Winters Center for
Autism.
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