Winston Bernard Cenac Jr., age 73, passed away on January 22, 2024, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.
Winston was born on December 23, 1950, on the Caribbean island of Aruba to Winston and Noreen (Veira) Cenac. As a young boy, Winston contracted polio, and endured numerous operations in childhood. Though he never regained full mobility, he was averse to being perceived as disabled, and was determined to rise above the stigma attached to his condition.
Winston’s family immigrated from the West Indies to Brooklyn, New York,eventually ending up in Battle Creek, Michigan, where his father was a physician. He attended Northwestern University and earned an applied baccalaureate degree in English at Stanford University.
Winston began his early career in music with Motown Records, followed by CBS Records, and managed punk band The Ratz (later known as The Knack). In addition to his career in music, he was a screenwriter and novelist.
In the late 1990s, Winston founded Bulldog Realtors in Venice, California. In more than two decades heading up Bulldog, he personally sold or supervised the sale of properties in Santa Monica, Venice and Westside communities whose gross value exceeded three billion dollars. More importantly, he mentored many developing agents who credit him for his financial support and willingness to share his time, knowledge, and personal experience.
Winston will be remembered for his quick wit, booming voice and hearty laugh. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed writing, music and swimming.Winston is survived by extended family in California, Florida, Virginia, Santa Barbara and Wisconsin. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jacci Cenacveira.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in
memory of Winston to the Polio Fund, an initiative of Rotary International to end polio worldwide, at www.endpolio.org/donate.
