Edward Green Winston Jr.
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Published in Las Vegas Optic on April 21, 2026
February 18, 1953 – April 3, 2026
With deep sadness and profound love we announce the passing of Edward Green Winston Jr., known to everyone as Ted. He left this world calmly in his sleep on April 3, 2026, at home in Swampscott, Mass. Ted was diagnosed with ALS in early 2025 and maintained his composure, courage, and good humor through the days of rapidly declining health. We are grateful to the friends and family who shared their time and love, CCALS for their support and guidance, and especially to his partner Debbie Pike for her love and steadfast care of Ted in his final days.
Ted was born Feb. 18, 1953, in Las Vegas, N.M., where he lived most of his life. He was the youngest of four siblings, who fondly remember him as “our sweet baby brother.” His nature was to be kind, patient, and generous with whoever he met, and he couldn’t go long without cracking a joke.
From a young age he was fascinated by nature. He loved collecting rocks, and studying geology—an amateur geologist in his own right. He regaled friends and family with a curated collection of colorful stones discovered on adventures in the Las Vegas area. In high school he was an honor student and was selected as Robertson High School’s “Mr. RHS” in 1971. He played basketball, ran track, and participated in a multitude of clubs where he built many lifelong friendships. Ted later earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from New Mexico Highlands University.
Ted and Bernadette Almanzar married after high school and had 5 sons. Standing six feet two inches, Ted could often be seen with one of his sons perched atop his shoulders on their way into a local football game. He had boundless curiosity in life and work, leading to a fish shop in the family’s basement with as many as 30 aquariums and a lifelong career as a land surveyor. In his spare time he was an avid runner and helped organize foot races with the Meadow City Track Club, including the formidable Manuelitas 15 mile relay.
The saying goes “ain’t nobody been up there but a black bear and a surveyor.” Ted held immense knowledge of his part of the country—a detailed mental map from decades of surveying the land on foot. With his crews, Ted set survey monuments all over San Miguel and Mora County; and helped set the Northern New Mexico triangulation stations. His sister Anne remarked “I never knew just how smart Ted was until I surveyed with him.” He shared his experience teaching trigonometry and surveying at Luna Community College.
Ted loved his community. Driving around, or out on a long run, he waved to everyone he passed, not because he knew them, but because he believed it was what you should do. He participated in civic organizations and championed causes he held dear. He was a member of Kiwanis, Habitat for Humanity, and Friends of the Las Vegas New Mexico Wildlife Refuge.
Ted was a spiritual man. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in his 20s, and devoted himself to yoga and exploring ideas of eastern spiritual practices in his later years. Throughout his life, Ted found a special peace in the Las Vegas New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge where he built his hobbies of birding and wildlife photography. He spent early mornings with his camera in the vast grassland as the sun chased the darkness away, welcoming colorful birds and grazing game—magical sights to him. Ted understood the depth and beauty of nature to be evidence of a higher power.
He became president of the local Friends of the Refuge chapter. There he met his partner Debbie Pike. Together they explored every corner of New Mexico, the National Parks, and anywhere the road could take them. They visited wildlife refuges around the country and helped form the Maxwell New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge. They became amateur storm chasers. Debbie remembers the wonder on Ted’s face when they stared down a Super Cell on the plains of Oklahoma, their teardrop trailer in tow and faithful pup Suki in the cab.
Ted and Debbie retired to New England to be near Ted’s son Luke and two grandsons. Ted was the best “Pop-pop” the kids could have asked for. He adored every moment with his grandchildren, and made time to explore a new part of the country, adventuring to beautiful regions of Maine to see puffins, whales, and the Atlantic coast.
With his ALS diagnosis, Ted took an honest perspective to the brevity of life. He spent as much time as he could with his family and friends. He loved to laugh, even as it became a struggle to do so. Some of his last days were spent road tripping with Debbie, enjoying root beer floats with his family, visiting the ocean, and watching Red Sox games with his high school buddies.
Ted left this world with love in his heart. He was a great friend and constant reminder, in word and example, that love is the most important thing in life. Ted leaves a legacy of kindness, curiosity, and love that will be cherished by all who knew him.
“Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Edward Green Winston Jr. is survived by his partner Debbie; siblings, Steve, Alice (Jim), and Anne; his sons and their partners, Philip (Janna), Paul, Luke (Raven), Mark (Cynthia), and Craig and their mother Bernadette; and his beloved grandchildren, Dulcinea, Aslan, and Apollo.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Phyllis Winston; brother in law Steven Sanders; and nephew Fehlan Carney.
A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ted’s name to Compassionate Care ALS: https://ccals.org/donate/