Bill Winterer was the man who hired Cliff back in ’72 and thus created the Monday night landmark we know and love today. In ’86, when Paul, Howard, and Joseph were just regular guests in support of Cliff, Bill was delighted and encouraged the formation into The Jovial Crew – the regular Monday night band. He oversaw Monday nights for years and even stuck around a bit when he sold the Gris to the Paul Brothers. The following was borrowed from the Facebook page of the Griswold Inn…
<< Last night The Griswold Inn lost an important figure in our history… and a good friend. William G. Winterer, Griswold Inn owner and Innkeeper from 1972-1995, passed away peacefully at his home in Boca Grande, Florida. Bill was born July 7, 1934 in St Louis and, following graduation from the Havard Business School and a career on Wall Street, purchased the ‘Gris’ from the Lovell Family, ownersand Innkeepers for three generations. It was sailing that brought Bill and his wife, Vicki, to Essex where they fell in love with the community and its venerable maritime landmark, The Griswold Inn. For twenty four years they devoted tireless energy to the business and also our community, while at the same time raising a wonderful family. Bill chaired the Board of the Ivoryton Playhouse and served on numerous boards including theGoodspeed Opera House, the USS Constitution Museum, the National Maritime Historical Society. Importantly, Bill was the driving force behind the founding of the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. For those of us at the ‘Gris’, we feel his presence everyday in the numerous legacies he has left behind. And while he brought many new traditions that our friends and patrons continue to enjoy today, we are most grateful to Bill and Vicki for preserving the past and their careful stewardship of this special place. We will miss you Bill. >>
Not a great picture of the framed photo at the end of the bar in the Gris tap room… Governor Ells Grasso, Bill Winterer, and Cliff Haslam taken back in the 70s.
