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