SEATTLE—January 2, 2007—Al Winston, Jr., a resident since 1996 of SHA's Reunion House on Capitol Hill and a member of SHA's Board of Commissioners since 1999, passed away at the Leon Sullivan Healthcare Center on South Dearborn in late December 2006.
"SHA staff and Commissioners share the sorrow of Commissioner Winston’s passing," said Executive Director Tom Tierney. "He made immense contributions to SHA policy and programs for low-income people, and especially seniors, and he provided tremendous spirit to our work together."
The Commission's chair, Bettylou Valentine, noted that she regarded Winston as both a friend and a colleague. "I came to appreciate Al’s individual touch and his dedication to the interests of SHA residents in general and senior housing people in particular," she said, "I’ll miss Al, both as a conscientious commissioner and as a warm, concerned and generous friend.”
Commissioner Elbert “Al” Winston, Jr. was born in Oakland, California on March 4, 1930. He is survived by his two sons, Michael Winston (Heidi) and Roy Winston; and two granddaughters, Alana and Taylor. The family will host a Celebration of Life memorial event in late January.
Commissioner Winston was originally appointed to the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) Board on September 13, 1999, by Mayor Paul Schell. He was reappointed to the SHA Board by Mayor Greg Nickels on October 7, 2002, and served in that role until his passing.
Mayor Nickels noted his sadness at Winston's death: “Al Winston was a genuinely caring man who gave back to his community unselfishly. His passion and commitment to serving others will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy goes to his family, friends and fellow commissioners."
In 2003, while on the Board, Commissioner Winston helped to provide the policy guidance needed to re-establish the Seattle Senior Housing Program on a sound financial footing, including making difficult choices to set strong budget targets for both expenditure control and revenue enhancements.
In 2001, he also represented SHA on the broad-based committee to evaluate the needs for The Morrison and recommended solutions in terms of service, management, and rehabilitation. He offered a valuable resident perspective on the Board and had stated that his goal was, “to work for all residents no matter what program they fall under.”
Councilmember Richard McIver appreciated Winston's approach to his role on the Seattle Housing Authority Board. “The contributions that Al Winston made to the work of the Housing Authority and the Seattle community in general were very significant," he said. "He brought a sense of fairness and a commitment to social justice that served this community well. We all mourn his passing.”
Before his retirement, Commissioner Winston worked at Bethlehem Steel from 1970 to 1986 as that company’s Human Resource/Self-Insurance Supervisor. There he managed employee and dependent benefit programs for approximately 1,500 employees.
Prior to joining Bethlehem Steel, he supervised store operations for Albertson’s, where he progressed from working as a clerk to become the first African American grocery manager for the grocery chain. He also served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1959, where he taught instrument flying to Marine Corps pilots at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. He studied business economics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Winston also volunteered as Vice-President of Citizens for Voluntary Integration Committee (CiVIC). He helped create the Self-Insurers Association of Washington in 1971 while employed at Bethlehem Steel. He also co-sponsored Initiative 350 which forbade busing to achieve racial-integration goals.
He was a past member of the Coalition for Accountability at SHA (CASHA), Seattle Senior Housing Program Advocates, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Retail Clerks Local 1105, and Teamsters Local 117.