L. Winston Cone

L. Winston Cone, 93, of Cedar Rd., Woodbridge, husband of the late Virginia Williams Cone, passed away on February 18, after a short illness. Born in Worcester, MA on July 26, 1914 to the late Leon and Mabel Provost Cone. After growing up in Worcester then North Brookfield, MA, Win attended college becoming a high school teacher briefly before enlisting into the Army Air Corp Weather Service for the duration of WWII. It was during the war that led Win to experience and learn about Africa., which he and his wife Virginia developed into a life long love and careers for both of them. After the war, Win completed his Master's degree and PhD in 1948. Starting his career as a History Professor at Purdue University in Hammond, Indiana, Win then became one of the first American professors at Universities in Ghana, Tanzania, then Kenya until returning to the U.S. in 1967, when he and his wife began teaching at Southern Connecticut State University. That same year he authored a book on 'The History of Kenya Agriculture.' Before his retirement in 1982, Win was appointed Director of the International Studies Department. During retirement, Win focused his interest on the First Church of Christ in Woodbridge by serving as Deacon, then becoming Chairman of the Board on Deacons in 1985 for 2 years. In addition, Win was actively involved with the Town of Woodbridge being placed on the Federal Register of Historic Districts in 2004. During retirement, Win was involved with the Phenix Society which helped its members explore the issues regarding the last third of life, spirituality, and life beyond death. Win had an ever-abiding love and faith in God and in a just world where all people of all backgrounds and cultures should co-exist and cooperate together. Living these values was Win's goal and he succeeded through his teaching, his work through the Church, and through his everyday relationships with family and friends. Win leaves his son Winston G. Cone and his wife Michele of Long Valley, NJ, daughters, Leslie Meyer and her husband Richard of Cape Cod, and Janice Cummings of Minneapolis, MN Eight grandchildren Adam, Sarah, Jessica, Tucker , Shane, Colin, Christie, Abigail, and Danielle, and four great-grandchildren Gavin, Kiernan, Paxton, and Peyton. Win is also survived by his siblings Maybelle, Robert, and Eleanor. He is pre-deceased by a daughter Henrietta Marie McWeeny and siblings Clinton, George, James, Gloria and John. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ in Woodbridge on Friday, Feb. 22nd at 1:00 p.m. Friends may visit with the family at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden on Thursday from 4-6 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the SCSU Foundation/ The Cone Scholarship Fund, 501 Crescent St., New Haven, CT 06515.