Bill Winterberg has lived a life full of joyous four-part harmony. Now a resident of The Terraces at Seacrest Village in Little Egg Harbor Township, he spent much of his life performing in barbershop choruses and was recently surprised with a Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing 80 years as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Winterberg, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday, Nov. 12, was pleasantly surprised when he walked into Seacrest’s dining room to find fellow residents as well as friends and performers from the Barbershop Harmony Society. Bianca Sutlovich, life enrichment director at The Terraces at Seacrest Village, and several leaders from BHS’s Mid-Atlantic District worked together to create a moment to honor all that Winterberg had accomplished in his barbershop career ahead of his centenarian celebration.
Rick Taylor, legacy gifts officer for the society and a close friend of Winterberg, presented the award to pay “recognition for a lifetime of contributions to the Mid-Atlantic District and for his encouragement of barbershop harmony.” Winterberg and fellow Seacrest residents were also serenaded by special performances from two barbershop quartets – New Jersey-based group The Road Less Traveled and BHS international silver medalists Gimme Four.
Winterberg’s love of barbershop dates back to 1945, when his father asked him to join his chorus in Paterson. From there, he became an integral member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, winning medals in international competitions, performing at Carnegie Hall, and even being honored as “Barbershopper of the Year” in 1992. A former president of BHS’s Paterson chapter, Winterberg was fundamental in forming the Mid-Atlantic District of the society, which has produced numerous medal-winning choruses and quartet champions.
“Bill is just as legendary at Seacrest as he is in the barbershop world,” said Sutlovich. “It was such an honor to have members of the Barbershop Harmony Society help us surprise him and give him the celebration he truly deserves. Bill was so touched and completely speechless.”
“Sing and be happy” has served as Winterberg’s life motto, and he described the evening as “surreal” and something that will “never be topped.”
