A good PBA man
JIM TOMA
STATE DELEGATE
On Nov . 22 , we lost a good PBA man .
Frank Pinto , who served the North Bergen Police Department for 28 years , has passed away . As we begin this tribute to Frank , let me make some important statements :
First , all of us in the PBA should be the kind of person Frank was , because he was a good person to all . Yes , Frank served North Bergen well during his time on the job and represented the North Bergen Local as its State Delegate for many years .
But more than holding the position , he worked the job as delegate , fighting for members at every turn and actively involving himself in local and state politics with the idea of bettering conditions and contracts for all PBA members .
That was just a part of Frank ’ s life . His first love was for his family , seven children whom he gave his heart and soul to . Frank also had hundreds of children : participants in Special Olympics , to whom he gave so much time , effort and love , including as a state board member .
Or to the Integrity House , a rehab center for drug and alcohol addiction , to which Frank gave so much time and compassion . He challenged the residents fighting their addictions to gain back their lives . At the same time , he offered a shoulder to cry on or a pat on the back when needed .
The pure joy that Frank felt when a child with a disability would achieve or a resident of Integrity House would recover was wonderful to see . So many personal stories could be told of individuals , some who knew the Pinto family well and some who Frank had just met .
This was a man doing for his fellow man without asking anything in return . His reward was the happiness of others .
Frank would drive them to doctor ’ s appointments or drive them to counseling sessions . He would deliver food or medicine , too .
This was a man doing for his fellow man without asking anything in return . His reward was the happiness of others , the success of others or the simple smile of a child who wasn ’ t starting with the advantages in life that many of us have .
Yes , I have a personal interest in telling his story because Frank was not only a friend of mine , but he was my dad ’ s best friend and confidant . I know my father will miss him dearly . But the loss is for so many , most of whom we don ’ t know . The loss is for the many who hadn ’ t had a chance to meet Frank Pinto yet , and he would have reached out with a helping hand and said , “ Come on , you can do it . Don ’ t give up . Keep fighting .”
Thanks , Frank , for leading a life you can be proud of , for being an example to us all that no matter where you come from or whatever means or platform you have , you can make a difference and you can change a life . His family can be proud of Frank , and hopefully we can follow in his footsteps , continuing his legacy of kindness and compassion that touched so many people and changed so many lives . d
16 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2017