Leo S

De Pinto

The family of Leo De Pinto of Cliffside Park, NJ is sad to announce the passing of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather on March 8, 2024.

Born to Anna née Camporeale and Sergio De Pinto in Molfetta, Italy, on May 22, 1931, Leo was the youngest of their three sons. The family emigrated to the United States and came through Ellis Island when Leo was only a few months old. They settled in Hoboken and a family homestead was retained there until 2012. Shortly after his high school graduation, Leo entered the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed throughout the U.S. and in Japan. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, served during the Korean War, and received multiple commendations before being honorably discharged in 1956. He was a proud veteran, always looking fondly upon his time of military service.

During his time in the Air Force, Leo heard the preaching of a Maryknoll priest. Maryknoll is a missionary order of the Catholic Church comprised of both lay people and religious priests, brothers, and sisters serving throughout the world. The words of the priest impressed upon Leo, and he began to wonder if he was being called to a different type of service. Heeding God's call, Leo entered religious life. He served as a Maryknoll Brother for 18 years, eight of which were in Japan where he ran a youth hostel and taught English. He became fluent in Japanese and loved sharing the language and culture with everyone he met.

Leo worked diligently to receive his Bachelors Degree from Mercy College becoming the first in his family to complete  a college degree. He knew that he wanted to continue his life of service to others, but no longer felt called to religious life. However, Maryknoll always held a special place in his heart. He stayed actively involved with its mission serving on advisory boards and made many visits with his family throughout the years. Leo also remained in touch with many of his friends until his death. He was so beloved that a Memorial Mass will be celebrated in his name at Maryknoll later this spring.

After dedicating half of his life in full service to God and country, Leo returned to his hometown of Hoboken to begin his career in social work. While working in this career for a few years, he met the love of his life, Rose Marie. Married for 46 years, Leo and Rose Marie raised their three daughters Andrea, Debra, and Lianna in Cliffside Park where he resided until death. Leo continued his life of service to his family and community.  He worked for Bergen County's Division of Disability Services for 25 years. During his tenure, his oversight included job counseling and placement, meals on wheels, and facilitating post-stroke support groups. He was very proud of his work in making a difference in the lives of some of Bergen County's most vulnerable residents.

Among all of these experiences, Leo cherished his role as a husband and father most of all. He was a dedicated family man and his "Girls" were his pride and joy. He rejoiced in his daughters' accomplishments and accolades, relished dancing with them at weddings, and gave thanks that he lived to enjoy his first grandchild. Offering a testament to his life's work, each of his daughters chose service-related professions: teaching, nursing, and mental health counseling. He and Rose Marie were blessed to have had their beloved dog, Pursey, to provide 17 years of unconditional love and companionship in their later years.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents Sergio and Anna and brothers Bernard and Michael De Pinto. He is survived by his wife Rose Marie née Bennett; daughters Andrea Sanzeri and husband Nick of Houston, TX; Debra Day and husband Barry of Emmaus, PA; and Lianna De Pinto and partner Amy Atkinson of Ewing, NJ. He was the adoring "Pumpa" of granddaughter Susanna Sanzeri. Leo was loved, respected, and will be greatly missed by many extended family members, friends, and neighbors.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that a donation be made, in Leo's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital stjude.org