Howard Winig, 71; worked 50 years in local real estate

Howard Winig, 71, a real estate broker who leased and developed several million square feet of retail space in Philadelphia and South Jersey, died Saturday, Oct. 27, of throat cancer at Penn Wissahickon Hospice in Center City.

During 50 years in real estate, Mr. Winig oversaw projects such as the Holiday Inn at 13th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, and Lancaster Square Shopping Center in Lancaster.

Mr. Winig formed a series of companies, the last of which, HW Associates Realty Corp., specialized in shopping center development in Philadelphia and South Jersey. It also did single-tenant retail development in central Philadelphia.

Located in the Howard Winig Realty Building, 420 Bainbridge St., the firm is operated by Mr. Winig's son, Jason.

Mr. Winig was born and raised in Wynnefield. He graduated in 1958 from the Pennington (N.J.) School and then earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Muhlenberg College in 1962.

Mr. Winig joined AREL Corp., his family's real estate development firm in Philadelphia, right out of college, and quickly made a name for himself in commercial development in Center City, said his wife, Judith.

In 1971, Mr. Winig joined the city's premier brokerage firm at the time, Strouse, Greenberg & Co. He left a decade later to establish his own real estate firm, Quadreal Corp., at 12th and Chestnut Streets.

In 1986, he broke off and formed HW Associates. When his son joined him in 1998, the pair made "a dynamic team," his wife said. Mr. Winig worked until very recently.

The Winigs met on a blind date and married in 1971. He was an avid equestrian in Bucks County; she said she learned riding to please him. He had to sideline the sport when the couple settled in Center City.

In later years, the couple split their time between Philadelphia and Boca Raton, Fla., where Mr. Winig enjoyed reading on the balcony.

When he became ill with throat cancer nine years ago, Mr. Winig was determined not to stop traveling. The Winigs even went for a cruise, his liquid diet in tow.

"He never complained. He was a trouper," his wife said.

He was devoted to his family and a Yorkshire terrier named Molly, his wife said.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and son, are a brother, Stephen, and sister, Susan Lewin.

A funeral service will be at noon Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel, 4737 Street Rd., Trevose. Interment will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia 19103, or the Joan Karnell Cancer Center, Attn: Honorarium and Celebration Gifts, 230 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia 19106.