John J. Pinto of North Haven and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at the Masonicare Health Center, Wallingford. He was the beloved husband of Connie Melillo Pinto. John was born in New Haven and was the son of the late Frank P. and Adeline Esposito Pinto. He was a graduate of Hillhouse High School, obtained his Bachelor and Master degrees from SCSU and his 6th year from Columbia University. John was a teacher in New Haven, moved to the North Haven School System to become Principal at Temple Street, Green Acres and Montowese Elementary Schools, and later became Assistant Principal at North Haven High School. After retirement he was Adjunct Prof at SCSU. John was President of the St. Stephen School Board of Education and was a member and past treasurer of the Hamden Civitan Club. Brother of Frank Pinto (Joanne) and the late Nicholas and Rachel Pinto. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue on Thursday morning at 11:00. Family and friends may call from 9:30 to 11:00. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 11:30. Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 260 Cochituate Road, #200, Framingham, Massachussetts 01701
I just posted this:
Mr. Pinto changed my life. I has been pulled from my 5th Grade class at Green Acres Elementary because of my behavior and an evaluation by the school psychologist. I had what today we would call ADHD, compounded by other disorders that forced me into a special class. There were maybe five students with two ‘teachers.’ It was primarily a behavior modification class, with rewards that could be earned with good behavior, and the threat that we would be sent to High Meadow (the state school for problem children). When we earned enough ‘coupons,’ we could ‘buy’ a reward, such as an extra recess, movie tickets, or LUNCH WITH THE PRINCIPAL. I love to talk, and back then I was emotionally an infant but intellectually an adult, so I was the first and only to ever pick lunch with Mr. Pinto. John was as surprised as anyone. We went to the cafeteria to get our trays, then came back to his office. He started with simple questions, but my recollection is that we talked about what I had seen on Nova the night before. He sat up and listened as I described some complex astronomy or science concepts, and he looked down at my file. He asked what in the world I was doing in the special ed class. He called a conference with my parents, and my mother signed paperwork to put me in advanced classes, not just the normal classes. This changed my life. My grades turned around, and I was on the honor role at Orchard Hill (where I built a balsa wood model of the school building which I gave to John, who had followed our class to middle school). I told this story to John as an adult and he remembered. I thanked him for seeing in me what no one else did — I went on to Kenyon College and a career as a journalist. I’ll be 50 this year, and I can trace whatever success I have enjoyed to that lunch in John Pinto’s office when I was but 10 years old. THANK YOU, MR. PINTO. You changed lives, and made mine a better one.
Mr. Pinto you always had a kind word, and took the time to listen to the students. I remember you always being a kind soul. May you Rest In Peace Mr. Pinto, my condolences to your family.
I send prayers of comfort to the family of Mr Pinto, he was my principle for many years, He was always a very soft spoken man with a gentle spirit and I know he will be missed. I am now 53 and I can still his his voice. RIP in peace Mr Pinto.
Love devita brown knight.
So sorry for your loss. I had pleasure to know Mr. Pinto for my entire school years. Many good memories throughout the years.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. I have wonderful memories of working with him at Green Acres Elementary School. He was a wonderful leader and a true gentleman. My condolences to his family.
He was an amazing principal who truely cared about each and every one of his students.
Very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person. You have influenced so many people young and old. You will be remembered forever.
I had the privilege of having Mr Pinto in Temple Street and the high school. I remember him fondly. My condolences to his family.
Connie, We were very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was so gracious to us when we would visit you both with our Mom’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Dear Connie, Frank, and Pinto Family Members,
It is with much sadness that we express our sympathy to you on the loss of your dear husband and devoted brother and uncle. John was a well loved and respected man. As an educator, he made his mark in the North Haven Schools and as a friend he was always pleasant and interested in what you had to say. He had a great smile! He will be missed, but wonderful memories of him will give comfort to those he left behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely, Maryann and Jack Dolan
My dearest Connie, we are so sorry to hear this terrible news our thoughts and prayers are with you
love Debbie and kevin
I’m a graduate of NHHS. I will always remember Mr. Pinto with respect for his kindness and goodness. My sincere condolences to you his family and close friends. I was honored to know him
I was so sorry to see that Mr Pinto had passed. I remember him as a great guy, and a wonderful principil at Green Acres Elementary. He always had my back and was everybodies best friend. RIP Mr Pinto and may your journey be a blessed one
Mr. Pinto was my principal at Montowese Elementary School in North Haven. I remember him as a great man, teacher and a kind soul. I saw him several times over the past few decades and he always remembered my name and asked about my family. He will be missed. Rest In Peace.
Mr. Pinto was my principal, he was a nice man, he
Will be greatly missed. Sending my condolences the family.
I remember Mr. Pinto from my very first school days at Temple Street school and later at the high school. He was always such a kind man. I’m sorry for his loss. He was a blessing to this world and will be missed.
So sorry for the loss of a very good man, and principal. He has touched many lives.
Mr. Pinto was a wonderful man who made all of his students at Green Acres and NHHS feel like they were family; Always greeting us with his warm smile; Rest in Peace
Me Pinto was my principal at Temple Street School. He was always so kind and caring. Years later, I met him at my daughter’s school in Northford. He was a student teacher supervisor. He remembered me and said Hello! My daughter asked me if I was naughty in school because how would he know me when I was all grown up! I assured her that it was because Mr Pinto just loved all of his students and remembered all of us. I hope the many stories of how John Pinto was such an important and positive person in so many lives will give his family solace. Rest In Peace and thank you
What a loss!
One will never find a kinder, more compassionate and dedicated human being.
We will miss his humor,love for life and dedication to students and the North Haven community
He gave me my first start at Temple Street School and became a true role model to both of us over the years
Rest in peace John and thank you
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I always enjoyed meeting him in Stop and Shop and talking about our mutual friends.
with sympathy,
Mary Ann Tarantino
He was such a positive influence on so many growing up. Very kind, caring and genuine. I ran into a few times since graduating and was still greeted with a huge smile and recognition. With him everyone mattered. We were lucky to have him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Connie so sorry for your loss, John was one of the greatest educators, he had a warm smile for everyone. May he Rest in Peace. 🙏🙏
He was the best principal there was! I had him at Temple. Will miss him greatly.
I had the pleasure of having Mr. Pinto as my principal at Temple Street School… he was such a wonderful man and I will always have great memories of him…. Rest In Peace Mr. Pinto….
Mr pinto was a very nice person.he understood each and everyones .he was the best principle in North haven.i.im going back years when I was in school.1982 1985.rest in peace mr.pinto till we meet again.rip.
Rest In Peace Mr Pinto. I remember so well how much of a tall gentle giant you seemed like to a little girl in the 4th grade. I admired you so much but I know my brother Ernie gave you a few of those grey hairs on your head early on. You will be sadly missed but fondly remembered. My condolences to the entire family
What a great loss to the education Community. I had the pleasure of having Mr. Pinto as my Principal at North Haven High and later working with him professionally . Prayers to his family.
Mr. Pinto was a wonderful educator who really loved the children in his care. I am so thankful that he was my first principal at Temple Street School, and my dad (Frank) valued him as a colleague and friend. “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest!”
my prayers are with you all, mr. pinto was my principal at temple street school he made such a great impact on all students lives.
I fondly remember Mr. Pinto from Temple Street School where I attended kindergarten and first grade. I would see him throughout the years to come in different social settings all the way into adulthood. He always was so happy to see me and would give me a big bear hug. The kind you sort of just mold into because it was sincere and genuine. He touch so many lives and I’m so glad I knew him, even if only a little bit. I’m sure he’ll see my mom and dad in heaven and they’ll catch up about old times from growing up in New Haven! Rest peacefully, sir.
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I met John & Connie many years ago in church. Always so attending to his wonderful wife Connie. My sincere condolences to Connie and John’s family.
We are sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Pinto was a wonderful man, always willing to help at anything needed. He touched so many lives and will greatly be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Connie and family.
Dear Connie, Francis and all of the Pinto Family,
Our sincere condolences on John’s passing. Both my Brother Tom and I (and my Mother Neddie Timoteo) always looked forward to seeing him whether it was at a family function, at my Grandmother’s or Aunt Dolly’s. I will remember John as a positive, kind man with a great sense of humor. I just heard of his passing yesterday. We’re sorry we didn’t see you in person but our thoughts & prayers are with you all. May your memories sustain you through the days ahead. Love, Cousins, Lynne & Tom
I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing. Temple St. School was my first teaching assignment. John was welcoming and friendly and had a great sense of humor. We worked together until Temple St. School closed after our four years together. He was a educator for many years and touched many people’s lives. He will be fondly remembered . Bless you John . Rest In Peace.
l had the privllege to work on john /house in north haven a gentle men a nice person