Kenneth J. Winegrad's Obituary
Kenneth “Ken” Winegrad (aka Kenny, Dad, Grandpop, Poppy, Uncle Kenny, Coach, Chief, Wine, Windy), 72, passed away surrounded by love on July 26th at his home in Severna Park, MD.
Ken was born in Annapolis to Benjamin and Eleanor (Messick) Winegrad and raised with 3 older brothers, Gerald, Larry, and Danny, and one younger sister, Anne-Marie Dammeyer. The Winegrad house was known to be loud, rowdy, and full of love. Ken and his best friend Phil Jones had many hilarious stories from growing up on Murray Ave and Vineyard Rd. A true son of Maryland, Ken’s early years in Annapolis introduced him to many lifelong passions: the Orioles, blue crabs, chicken necking, soft shell crab sandwiches, oysters, lacrosse, the beach, and Old Bay.
Ken graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1969 where he was a standout scholar athlete playing football, basketball, and lacrosse, and was eventually inducted into the St. Mary’s High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to play football and lacrosse for Johns Hopkins University and appeared in two lacrosse national championship games. His senior year at Hopkins he was honored with the team's Unsung Hero award, a fitting recognition for how he lived his life: always giving, never asking for anything in return.
In 1973, Ken married his high school sweetheart Michaellen “Mike” Kiefer. They were truly best friends and she was by his side until the very end. Ken and Mike raised their family in Western Pennsylvania and Southern Maryland where Ken devoted much of his time to the sport of lacrosse as a coach, mentor, referee, and administrator. Together they built a home to which others gravitated, especially for viewing big sporting events. Ken instilled a love of sports and competition in his kids and grandkids, who loved attending and watching the Orioles, Terps, Blue Jays, and major golf and tennis tournaments with him. He valued family and was known by his kids, grandkids, and many nieces and nephews as an expert sand crab finder, putt-putt coach, crab picker, roller coaster partner, arcade chaperon, wave rider, wiffle ball thrower, Motown singer, and storyteller. He was a kid at heart and enjoyed nothing more than playing and rough housing with his grand kids, who adored him; they were his favorite Uber passengers.
Ken didn’t make things too complicated and never seemed to need anything to be a certain way. He loved to laugh with old friends about old times. He did, however, maintain a short list of annoyances. One could easily turn his mood by mentioning Mayflower moving trucks or wearing perfume or cologne in his presence. Similarly, athletic showboating such as bat flipping and chest pounding were bound to earn you a scowl. This list of rather funny grievances would not be complete without mentioning sand traps, messy garages, trash left in his car, or grandkids with wet hair sitting in his favorite chair.
Ken’s greatest passion was for those closest to him. He spent his downtime searching for the next gift or treat for those he loved. With others in mind, he couldn’t turn down an Oriole give away or a good deal and was a sucker for anything that had “NEW” on the package. He was a sweet man with a sweet tooth always prepared with candy, snacks, and ice cream for his guests or grand kids. Above all Ken loved to be around those he loved and was always kind to everyone.
Ken’s kindness, generosity, athleticism, and ability to “make” fun will be carried on by his wife, Mike, children, Jake (Meghan), Tim (Cristen), and Sarah (Mike), and grandchildren Kiefer, Parker, Glenn, Kate, Jane, Sam, and Kayslee.
Ken’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 31st from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at the family home. Feel free to come and go as you please. Deacon Leroy Moore of St. Mary’s Parish in Annapolis, as well as a few planned people will briefly speak at 11:00 am. The event will mostly be outside and casual attire is recommended – shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops and O’s hats are all A-OK. Please contact via email : [email protected] if you have any questions or need additional details.
Contributions in Ken’s name can be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or online at https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/ or to the World Wildlife Fund at https://www.worldwildlife.org/
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?