Southern Ocean Man Honored for 80 Years With Barbershop Harmony Society

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — A Little Egg Harbor resident who has spent decades singing barbershop harmony was recently honored for 80 years of membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Bill Winterberg, who lives at The Terraces at Seacrest Village, received a Lifetime Achievement Award during a surprise celebration held at the senior living community, according to a Nov. 5 release.

Winterberg will celebrate his 100th birthday in November, the release said. The event was organized by Bianca Sutlovich, Life Enrichment Director at The Terraces at Seacrest Village, along with leaders from the Barbershop Harmony Society's Mid-Atlantic District to recognize Winterberg's long history in the organization before his centenarian celebration.

Rick Taylor, Legacy Gifts Officer for the Barbershop Harmony Society and a friend of Winterberg, presented the award. The release said the award was meant to pay “recognition for a lifetime of contributions to the Mid-Atlantic District and for his encouragement of barbershop harmony.”

The gathering also included fellow Seacrest residents, friends and performers from the Barbershop Harmony Society. Two quartets, New Jersey-based The Road Less Traveled and BHS international silver medalists Gimme Four, performed during the event, according to the release.

Winterberg's involvement in barbershop music dates to 1945, when his father asked him to join his chorus in Paterson, according to the release. Over the years, he won medals in international competitions, performed at Carnegie Hall and was named “Barbershopper of the Year” in 1992. The release also said he served as president of the society's Paterson chapter and helped form its Mid-Atlantic District.

“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.”

The release said Winterberg has long lived by the motto “Sing and be happy.” It also said he described the evening as “surreal” and something that will “never be topped.”

The Terraces at Seacrest Village is at 281 Mathistown Road in Little Egg Harbor. According to the release, the community offers apartments, dining, activities and access to services including rehab care at Seacrest Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center.