Timothy “TJ” Wineman
The world lost one of its most “colorful” characters when Timothy “TJ” Wineman 69, of Mentor Ohio clocked out for the last time on Oct 9,2025
— probably still wondering who moved his lantern collection!
Born in Alliance, Ohio to Francis and Gloria Wineman, TJ was the middle of three boys — which explains a lot. Sandwiched between Michael and Kirk, he might have secretly been the wild child, though he’d swear it was “just bad luck” (and possibly the influence of the other two).
TJ went on to have two children, Timothy Jr. and Stacy, proving that yes, someone did trust him to raise tiny humans. After realizing he was better at helping people put their lives back together than destroying his own, when he nearly earned himself frequent flyer miles to the county jail. He got to know the local judge well enough to exchange Christmas cards (first-name basis and all). But plot twist — he turned it all around,TJ took sobriety seriously starting in 1983 and became ahuge part of the AA community — the kind of guy who could give you tough love one minute and
a bad dad joke the next.
In 1987, TJ married his wife Cathy, who already had three kids — Ricky, Jamie, and Randy. Because TJ never backed down from a challenge, they decided to add one more, welcoming Mathew. At this point, it was less of a family and more of a small-town census.
Professionally, TJ turned his passion for helping others into a lifelong career. He began as a drug and alcohol counselor, running the Chemical Dependency Program in the Geauga County Jail, then went on to work for the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, placing inmates into treatment programs — where he eventually retired, likely after realizing he’d talked enough people out of bad decisions for one lifetime.
TJ was also a collector — of lanterns (so many lanterns), war memorabilia, old train stuff, and anything that made people tilt their heads and ask, “Why do you have that?” His home was less a house and more a museum of questionable treasures.
Though he claimed he didn’t like kids, TJ still managed to rack up 15 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids, all of whom adored him anyway — probably for his unmatched sarcasm and secret soft spot he’d never admit to.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, the AA community, and anyone lucky enough to have experienced his quick wit, stubborn honesty, and legendary humor. TJ may be gone, but his lanterns — and his legacy — will keep shining bright.
Rest easy, TJ. You’ve done enough.
A celebration of life will be held in November, the date will be posted soon to come!