Broderick "Pete" C. Winkler

Broderick Cornelius Winkler, affectionately known as ‘Pete’ was born April 30, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland to Worthington F. Winkler and the late Audrey Jackson Winkler. His parents, who later divorced and remarried with other partners, shared a special concern for Pete who was plagued with some mental and later physical health challenges.

However, prior to his mother’s transition, she asked that Pete be cared for by his father and his doting stepmother, Shirley Winkler, and that is exactly what they did until his final days, when he transitioned January 5, 2024.

Pete was the epitome of a true East Baltimorean, attending and worshiping at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and being educated in the Baltimore City school system. Throughout his schooling and later years, he built a reputation for his athletic prowess, as he excelled in a variety of sports from baseball, basketball, swimming and even karate. If you were anywhere near Biddle and Caroline Streets, in the 1970’s you would see a happy-go-lucky kid walking, bouncing a basketball, and smiling at folks in the neighborhood he affectionately called “Down the Hill”. But it was at Merganthaler Vocational-Technical High School, or ‘Mervo’ where he gained much of his acclaim in addition to trophies. Principal/part-time basketball coach, Oscar Jobe marveled at his talent and said on many occasions Broderick was one of his top players. He had a smooth jump-shot, seldom missing and not in the least bit braggadocios.

Pete graduated in 1980, and later followed up his interest in electrical training at BCCC (Baltimore City Community College). Life would go differently for Pete whose disease progressed, making it difficult to maintain his studies or work. But through it all, he kept his good nature and fun-loving attitude, looking forward to dancing, family vacations, gatherings or just a quiet day watching his favorite kung fu movies. Pete was always friendly, smiling and quick to offer help, being fastidious in his work. A great source of his happiness was attending Foundations Medical Adult Day Care where he was well liked. There he made fast friends and built a great rapport with the staff and management. He was always ready, early and wiped out when he returned. Pete was later diagnosed and stricken with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and although it eventually took a toll on his frail body, he never complained and instead asked about everyone else. His final months were spent at Meadow Park Rehabilitation Facility, where he once again charmed the care team and became a favorite of the staff and clinicians.

Those left to cherish his memories are his father, Worthington Winkler, stepmother Shirley Winkler, brother Rodney Winkler, sister Christina Fitts (John), and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.