Larry Winans, co-owner of Jackass Brewing Company, has died after suffering a severe cardiac arrest during the swim portion of a local Ironman 70.3 event last weekend.
The news has sent shockwaves through the central Pennsylvania community, where Winans was known not only as a successful business owner but as a familiar and beloved face to countless customers, friends, and former patients from his earlier career.
Jackass Brewing co-owner Skip Kratzer shared the heartbreaking update on behalf of the family and staff, describing the loss as devastating for everyone connected to the brewery.
According to Kratzer, despite the quick efforts of first responders and medical teams on the scene, Winans could not be saved. He passed away following complications from the cardiac event, leaving behind his wife Xana and their children, Ryder and Savannah.
Kratzer reflected on how the brewery came to be, recalling that he and Winans started simply as friends who shared a passion for homebrewing.
What began as a casual hobby grew steadily, from brewing once a month to nearly every weekend, until the two friends realized they were producing far more beer than they could ever drink themselves.
Winans suggested they start sharing it with others, and that simple idea eventually blossomed into Jackass Brewing Company, now with two locations serving the region.
Despite the tragedy, Kratzer confirmed that both brewery locations will remain open, calling it a tribute to the dream Winans helped build from the ground up.
He asked the community for patience and understanding as staff and family members grieve together in the coming weeks.
Friends and Customers Share Fond Memories
The outpouring of support on social media has been immediate and heartfelt. Many who commented on the announcement recalled knowing Winans from his years working as a dentist before he transitioned into the brewing business, a career change that clearly left a lasting impression on his patients and friends alike.
Others remembered him as a warm presence behind the counter at the brewery’s Williamsport location, always ready for a conversation.
One woman who was swimming near Winans during the Ironman event wrote that although she never had the chance to formally meet him, his impact on her life was still deeply felt in that moment.
Former coworkers, patients, and brewery regulars alike echoed similar sentiments, describing a man who built genuine relationships wherever he went, whether behind a dental chair or a brewery bar.
Meal Train Set Up to Support the Family
To help ease the burden on Xana, Ryder, and Savannah during this incredibly difficult time, friends Aimee Baylor, Jen Bernstein, and Jenn Bair-Cicoria have organized a meal train for the family.
The schedule is set to run for the next six weeks, though it may be adjusted based on the family’s needs. Volunteers are being asked to provide dinners twice a week, along with simple breakfast items on Fridays, such as fruit, muffins, or yogurt.
Organizers noted that the family is easygoing and not picky, though Xana does not care for fish.
Those wishing to contribute a meal or a gift card can sign up through the Meal Train website, where dozens of community members have already stepped up to help.
As the family navigates this profound loss, friends and supporters continue to ask the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during what Kratzer called the final, heartbreaking steps of saying goodbye to a devoted husband, father, friend, and business partner who left a lasting mark on everyone he met.
