Eric Winkler | |
---|---|
Ontario MPP | |
In office 1967–1975 |
|
Preceded by | Farquhar Oliver |
Succeeded by | Bob McKessock |
Constituency | Grey South |
Member of the Canadian Parliament for Grey—Bruce |
|
In office 1957–1967 |
|
Preceded by | Walter Harris |
Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
Personal details | |
Born |
Hanover, Ontario |
February 13, 1920
Died | March 18, 1995 Hanover, Ontario |
(aged 75)
Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Spouse(s) | Frances Winkler |
Children | 4 |
Occupation | Retail merchant |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Canadian |
Service/branch | RCAF |
Years of service | 1940-1946 |
Rank | Flying officer |
Unit | Bomber Command |
Eric Alfred Winkler (February 13, 1920 – March 18, 1995) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1957 to 1967 who represented the riding of Grey—Bruce. He was also a member of provincial parliament from 1967 to 1975 who represented the riding of Grey South. He served as a cabinet minister in the government of Bill Davis.
Born in Hanover, Ontario, he worked in a local furniture factory before joining the RCAF. He served as a flying officer during World War II, flying missions over Europe when he was shot down in 1942. He survived but was held as a prisoner of war until 1945 his release in 1945. When the war ended, he came home and opened Winkler Brothers Menswear. He and his wife Frances raised two sons and two daughters.
In 1946, he was elected as an alderman for the city of Hanover and was elected mayor in 1948.
He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the riding of Grey—Bruce in the 1957 federal election. A Progressive Conservative, he was re-elected in 1958, 1962, 1963, and 1965. From 1963 to 1967, he was the Chief Opposition Whip.