Obituary of Charles Pinto

Charles Pinto, Jr. (Charlie), of Manchester, Ct., left this world on March 29, 2021 to join his beloved wife Annie. He was born on July 13, 1922, the only child of the late Charles Pinto, Sr. and Laura (Peart) Pinto. He grew up in Hammonton, NJ, with aunts, uncles, cousins and blueberries! After graduating from Hammonton High School, he played in the semi-pro baseball league for the Hammonton Peaches as a shortstop & third baseman. He had been painting since he was 7 years old, a talent that his parents encouraged by having him take art lessons. He also took tap dance! When WWII came along, Charlie enlisted with the U.S. Coast Guard. He was assigned to Greenland where, if you asked him, he would say his job was to "guard the beer"...Charlie was funny AND humble, as his actual job was to guard the depth charges (TNT, loaded on to U.S. Submarines). Charlie served for two years and then came to Connecticut for the summer. It was then that he met Annie, the love of his life. They eloped on September 6, 1945. Charlie and Annie moved to NY when Charlie enrolled in the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn. After 3 years, they returned to Ct. with their one-year old son, having decided that Charlie's plan to be professional artist would not be practical. Charlie worked for some years at Hymovich Furniture Store on Front Street as a Credit Manager. In 1950 they found the house of their dreams where Charlie lived until his death. After their second child came along, Charlie went to work for Hamilton Standard Credit Union, where he stayed for 35 years. There was no one at Hamilton who had an account, bought a car or a home who didn't know (and love) Charlie. When Charlie retired, he and Annie enjoyed any number of daytrips to their favorite places in New England; Charlie would take endless photographs and then create his magnificent paintings from them. Their other shared interest was cooking, and they were both very good at it! After Annie died in 2005, Charlie began his drop-bys throughout Manchester. He loved people and he loved bringing them not just paintings, but also candy and wine. To meet Charlie was to make a life long friend. He would instantly offer to share his wonderful works of art, mostly custom made from photos of people's pets, portraits and homes. Charlie's special relationships included Bud & Mary Jane Crandall and their daughters; Don & Kathy Ringbloom, Tom & Laurene Mainville, Tony Dedominicis (his late wife, Bea) and Helene, and Charlie's Brother-In-Law, Bob Johnson & his wife, Elaine (both deceased). In the 60's, Charlie, Ann & Bob co-owned a house in S. Harwich, Cape Cod. Charlie had some unique "hobbies" - one was to collect money that he found on the ground. He would save it up until it reached one dollar, and then he would deposit it at the bank in a separate account. In his lifetime, he found $186! What he didn't know was that Bud Crandall, knowing that Charlie and Don took a walk down White Street every day, used to throw coins in the street! He was finally told a few years ago and of course, it brought on the hearty Charlie laugh. Charlie & Ann, Bud & Mary Jane, Don & Kathy formed the "Beer Club" - of which Charlie was President. He had done the finishing work on his home, including a bar downstairs and the three couples enjoyed many a "Happy Hour" there. One of Charlie's greatest passions was baseball, specifically the New York Yankees. Joining the Johnson family meant becoming an avid Yankee fan and he and his Son enjoyed many a game at Yankee Stadium. In 2010, Charlie returned to Hammonton, NJ for the first time in over 30 years; it was his 70th High School reunion. He was proud to point out his old haunts and even to meet up with relatives. On that trip he also enjoyed his dream-come-true of seeing a game at Camden Yards. Charlie also loved boxing (another passion passed on by his Father-In-Law) and the televised 50th Anniversary fight of Mohammed Ali & Joe Frazier was one of his final pleasures. We will never see another Milano cookie, Shady Glen's frozen pudding, or cod with a sweet potato, without thinking of Charlie. As one person said this week: "The world needs more Charlies"...he was generous to a fault, though he never saw it that way. He would spend money on any one and every one, except himself. Charlie gave to people, charities, the church and any one in need. One friend that he made later in life was George, a man who he saw walking to St. Bridget's Church for the 7:30 Mass. One chilly day, Charlie asked him if he wanted a ride. Well, that was it. Charlie then picked George up at his house & brought him home every Sunday. Charlie was in his 90's at the time. Charlie was well known at St. Bridget's where he sat in the same pew every Sunday, putting his hat beside him "to save the seat for Annie"... Charlie LOVED music, but especially Tony Allen (DeDominicis) - who became a friend when Charlie looked him up after buying his CD at D&D Italian Market in Hartford in 2007. Tony was Charlie's favorite singer and he traveled to any of Tony's events that he could. Tony's recordings were played all day, every day - and especially after Charlie's stroke last July. There is not enough to say about Charlie and his legacy of beautiful art that is all over the country (and the UK!), including the Swimmers Hall of Fame, and the Hartford Armory (Iwo Jima painting). In 2009, Charlie became affiliated with the New Britain Museum of American Art and generously donated original works for their annual Gala/Auction Fundraiser. He was honored every year at the Artist's Party, but was truly too humble to accept any praise. He enjoyed the people - not the praise. His paintings are hanging in offices, homes & restaurants. His painting of a winter scene was chosen for a CD insert: "Christmas in Connecticut". Charlie never wanted compensation and felt badly when people insisted on giving him gift certificates or beer! From the time in the mid-50's when Charlie was the head of the Manchester Fine Arts Association, he was an Artist first and foremost. Above all, Charlie cherished his family who were always first in his heart. Charlie is survived by his son, Barry Pinto (Jeanne La Rose) of Ellington, CT and their sons, Barry Pinto and his daughter Aurelia (Tampa, FL) and Steve Pinto, his wife Meredith and their daughter Clara (Burbank, CA); his daughter, Paula Cianculli (Joseph) of Wallingford, CT and Paula's sons, Christopher Long, Becky and their daughters Nora and Enid, and Tony Long of Manchester, CT. In addition to Annie (2005) Charlie was predeceased by his son-in-law, Richard Long, in 2012. A very special thank you to Father Stephen Sledesky and especially to Father Terry Kristofak who has been calling on Charlie at his home since last August. Charlie's ashes will be buried with Annie's at Annie's Grandmother's burial plot in Evergreen Cemetery, Watertown, CT at a later date. A memorial gathering will be planned and all friends and family will be personally notified. If you wish to make a donation in Charlie's memory, we suggest the NBMAA (New Britain Museum of American Art) 56 Lexington, St., New Britain, Ct. 06052-1417 or St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 80 Main Street, Manchester, Ct. 06042. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.