Obituary of Marie J. Pinto

Known as Marie "Russ", Marie J. Pinto was a true force. Some would think that growing up as an only child she would be lonely, but not Marie, she was never alone, always at the center of all the action. As a child growing up in Newark, surrounded by a loving extended family which included her father Sam "Sabio" Russoniello and her mother Genevieve (nee Danielle) Russoniello, she was part of an amazing extended Italian family. Born and raised in Newark, she learned the meaning of family from her Russoniello family, who owned and operated the East Orange Bakery and her Danielle family who were active in the Newark Democratic political scene. A talented musician, playing the accordion for over ten years, she remembered every story from her childhood and passed it on with great pride and joy to her children and grandchildren. While in high school at West Side High, she found the love of her life Gerald "Choppo" Pinto as she tells the story hanging on the corner smoking cigarettes with the guys. As the story goes, they fell in love and created a beautiful life for their family while never forgetting their parents and extended family, as family was everything to them. They raised their three children, Matthew, Andrew, and Genevieve in the same house Marie grew up in, in Newark, just a block away from where Choppo grew up in East Orange. They attended St. Joseph Church in East Orange. Marie was active in the CYO and the annual church Broadway shows. While her children were school age, Marie took a job at Vailsburg High School, where she was the secretary to the vice principal and was in charge of lunch passes. The rest is history, as you can imagine, everyone she liked got free lunches. In the mid 60's, Marie, pushing Choppo all the way, purchased a summer home in Seaside Heights, which as we would say today, was their "happy place". While making sure their children had a wonderful place to spend their summers vacationing, Marie worked as a beach attendant, and boy was she a strict one! She lived to catch kids hopping the fence to enter the beach without paying. Later in life, Marie and Choppo moved their family to South Plainfield to be closer to their sons business, Pinto Brothers Disposal. As we all like to say, Marie loved and lived her family, and that meant being a big part of ensuring their success. Tirelessly, she worked every day at Pinto Brothers because she wanted to make sure her family was successful. If she was not at the "office" she was taking care of her grandchildren, Andrew, Genna, Rachel, Gerianna, Gerry, Joseph, Julia, and Genevieve, most times doing both! Her grandchildren were blessed as they knew Nan as a second mother. She instilled in her grandchildren the same traits she did her children; family first always, work hard, always remember there is a reason for everything, and God's plan for you is written in the book the day you are born, so be the best you can be. She lived out her last years where she wanted to be, at home, surrounded by her loving family, which included her children Matthew and Debby, Andrew, Genevieve and Joe, and all her grandchildren. Growing up, she always told us she was leaving us with a book of memories, and boy is that book filled. We thank you for the memories! Family and friends may attend visitation hours on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 3:00 to 9:00PM at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at The Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9:00AM. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Memorial contributions may be made in Maries memory to the St. Jude Shrine, 308 N. Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201