It was therefore entirely appropriate for the Winikoff family to create a memorial fund in Jeff’s name that would award scholarships for post-secondary education to high school students based on their exemplary commitment to community service. 

 

And the very first winners are:

 

Inita Knox of Riviera Beach, who believes “young people should give of their time freely because they have the power to inspire the younger generation to be successful….I have come to realize that there is a great need for more programs to keep teens off the streets and encourage them to achieve higher education.” (2009 graduate, Palm Beach Lakes Community High School)

 

Stephanie Gopie of Lake Worth, who is committed “to getting the job done…with the highest standards possible.” (2009 graduate, Park Vista Community High School)

 

Elizat Baialieva of Boca Raton, who deftly summed up what all three winners said with these words -- volunteering is “not only about getting those 20 hours of community service required for graduation; it’s about being a part of a solution.” (2009 graduate, Boca Raton Community High School)

 

All three winners will be honored at the Judge Jeffrey A. Winikoff Memorial Fund’s first awards ceremony at 12:30 pm on July 29 at the Governmental Center Rose Garden, 301 N. Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach.

 

Jeff Winikoff left his mark on both West Boca and Palm Beach County when he died suddenly and prematurely last year at 59. Before his election as Judge to the 15^th Circuit Court in late 2002, he served for five years as President of the West Boca Community Council.  He served on numerous PBC School Board committees and as Vice Chairman of the PBC Housing Authority. He led the fight in the 90s to incorporate West Boca as its own city, which inspired his colleagues and many admirers to nickname him “the Mayor of West Boca”.

 

On the bench, he was affectionately known as a gregarious judge with a keen wit. John Romano, who represented the plaintiff before Judge Winikoff in the futile lawsuit against tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams, said “he had the perfect temperament, was extremely bright and a very kind, patient, understanding person….I thought he was the perfect judge.”

 

Donations to the Judge Jeffrey Winikoff Memorial Fund, Inc. can be sent to 20423 State Road 7, F6-475, Boca Raton, FL 33498. For further information, please call 561-451-1796 or email winikoffmemorialfund@comcast.net.