Mario Anthony (Heubach) Winik
July 19, 1957-August 20, 1994
Photo courtesy Marion Winik
Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Tony (Heubach) Winik got his start in skating at the Quaker City Figure Skating Club. He won a bronze medal at the first competition he entered, the 1972 Lake Placid Free Skating Competition. He competed at the North Atlantic Championships twice, his best finish being sixth in novice men's in 1974 and passed his sixth figure test. He turned professional at the age of eighteen and toured with Holiday On Ice in Europe. Tony taught skating at the Ice Capades Chalet and bartended in New Orleans and worked as a hairdresser in Austin. Though he was gay, he married a woman who worked as a writer for NPR and had two sons. He passed away on August 20, 1994 at the age of thirty-seven. His story is chronicled in his wife Marion's books "Telling" and "First Comes Love".
Tony and Marion Winik and their sons. Photo courtesy Marion Winik.
Tony's obituary from the "Austin American Statesman": "Mario Anthony Winik, 37, died at home of AIDS-related complications on Saturday, August 20, 1994 at 7:20 PM. His wife, Marion, and several dear friends were at his side. Tony contracted the HIV virus sometime prior to 1983, and struggled bravely with it for over ten years. His strong constitution and spirit carried him through, as well as his devotion to his wife and sons, Hayes Anthony Winik and Vincent Valdric Winik. Tony was born on July 19, 1957, in Rantoul, Illinois, to Grace Ann and Edwin Heubach. When he was seen, his mother married Rodney Fell, who raised Tony, his brother Frank, his half-brother Sam and his foster brother Larry. Tony loved and respected Rod as a father all his life. Tony grew up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. At the age of 11, he began to show great talent for figure skating. He skated competitively throughout his teens... He trained in Lake Placid, New York, where he met many of his heroes and heroines, such as Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming and Dick Button. At 18, he joined the European touring company of Holiday on Ice, with whom he skated for three years, playing characters such as the Roadrunner with verve and humor. After he left the ice show, Tony became a skating pro at the Chalet in New Orleans, Louisiana. He coached many promising skaters and travelled with them to competitions around the country. In 1983, he met Marion Minik, who became his closest companion. The two moved to Austin, Texas, that year, and Tony chose a new career. He trained as a hairdresser at the Modern College of Hair Design and at Roffler. After graduation he worked at Roy and Connie Frederick's Avant hair salon. His creativity and skill won him a devoted following. He continued his studies at Trevor Sorbie's academy in London. He was always at the leading edge of trends in haircutting, and was one of the first in Austin to master the use of hair extensions. He was featured in the newspaper and on television for this work. Tony and Marion were married in March 1986 in her hometown of West Deal, New Jersey. In an unconventional move that would perplex bureaucrats for years to come, he took Marion's last name. After his sons were born in 1988 and 1990, Tony devoted the majority of his time to caring for them. He left Avant to work part-time at As You Like It Agnes and then at home. His loving attention, patience and hard work with the boys through their infant and pre-school years was truly extraordinary, and an inspiration to others. He was a familiar figure at Bryker Woods Elementary as he volunteered in Hayes' kindergarten class last year. Tony was an intrepid and dedicated traveller. His journeys took him to Europe, Asia, Mexico and throughout the United States. To explore new places and return to favourite spots was his greatest joy. When finances or health limited his expeditions, he continued to devour travel magazines and books. Tony made it possible for his wife, Marion, to pursue the writing career that ultimately resulted in her recent book, 'Telling'. He was enormously proud of her, and handled being a literary subject with grace. Tony spent much of his last summer at Christopher House, a medical facility for AIDS patients in East Austin. He became deeply attached to the staff of this wonderful place. As he had for eight years, he continued to draw strength and comfort from the care of his trusted and beloved physician, Ken Blair."
*Source for inclusion: "First Comes Love", Marion Winik, 1996
