Michael "Mike" Edmund Quinto Jr.

Michael E. “Mike” Quinto, Jr., 69, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2012 at Brookside Rehab in Burnsville N. C.

Born in New York, November 17, 1942 to Michael E. and Wilma Dietz GianQuinto, he was raised in Sayville, New York, and was a 1964 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, New York.

After a year as a merchant mariner, serving as Third Mate, he requested active duty as a Naval Reserve Officer where he served for four years, including one year as a deck officer in USS LaSalle, one year as a Naval Advisor in Viet Nam, and two years as an instructor of Naval Science at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy.. Among several other ribbons and medals, he was awarded a Bronze Star with “V”, the Combat Action Ribbon, and a Naval Meritorious Unit Commendation, plus a Medal of Honor from the Republic of South Viet Nam. He was released from active duty with the rank of Lieutenant and later honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

A resident of North Carolina since 1969, he was a licensed real estate broker for almost all that time, mainly in the High Point market area. He was also the first owner of the former Baskin-Robbins store at the then Westchester Mall. He served as president of the High Point Board of Realtors, Treasurer of the North Carolina Association of Realtors, President of the Triad Regional Multiple Listing Service(MLS). He was the recipient of many awards, including Realtor of the Year of the High Point Association of Realtors,1994 Citizenship Award from the North Carolina Association of Realtors, and induction into the High Point Realtors’ Hall of Fame.

Very active in civic life, he was a past president, life member, and winner of the Nick Lawrence Award in the High Point Jaycees, a former director of the Oak Hollow Civitan Club, Bloodmobile Chairman of the Red Cross Chapter, three-term member of the High Point City Council, and an ordained deacon of First Presbyterian Church of High Point.

He is survived by his wife, Christable Quintoof the home, a son Michael E. Quinto, III of Blowing Rock, NC, a daughter Karen Richmond and son-in-law

Jim Richmond, and five grandsons: Matthew, Jacob, and Ryan Richmond, and Hagan and Everett Quinto. He leaves behind two sisters: Janet L. Quinto of Hudson, Wis., and Susan Quinto McGuire and husband, Ken, of Wading River, New York.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2012, 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in High Point.

Mike and his family ask that his life be celebrated, not his passing mourned. In lieu of flowers, please do a random act of kindness for someone less fortunate or visit an old friend or shut-in in his memory..