With great sadness the Pinto family announces the passing of our kind, brave, and caring husband, father, and grandfather, James Michael Pinto, 72, of Montague. Jim passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Newton Medical Center surrounded by family.
Jim was born in Hackensack, NJ on May 24, 1950 to the late Peter and Mabel (Bressem) Pinto. He grew up in Jefferson, NJ playing baseball before settling in Montague over 50 years ago. Jim loved flying small planes, playing guitar, kayaking, hiking, ham radio, and riding the tractor with his grandson. Not only was he a loving father and husband, he was a friend to many. Jim’s generous nature and loving spirit was shared with everyone he met, and he was recognized for his friendly smile and disposition. He volunteered his time on the Montague School Board and coached little league for the township. As an active member of the American Glass Guild, Jim and his studio, Northeast Stained Glass, worked to restore church windows around the country winning the Lucy G. Moses Award for both St. Thomas Church, NYC and Trinity Church Wall Street, and Excellence in Historic Preservation for Green-Wood Cemetery’s Chapel.
Early in his life Jim met Linda (Giannetti), his wife and partner of fifty years. He is also survived by his children, David Pinto and Michelle (Casey) Cortes and her husband, David, and their son, Oscar; his brothers, Peter and Tom and their wives, Christine and Judy; his mother-in-law, Patricia Giannetti; many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He also leaves a legacy in the studio with his second family, his crew.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 1-3 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ.
Memorial donations may be made in Jim’s memory to American Kidney Fund or Doctors Without Borders. Online condolences can be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com
