In Memory Of
Maria R. Pino
1922
2014
Maria R. Pino
April 22, 1922 — January 21, 2014
Maria R. Pino
First Italian War Bride "Aimed to Please"
When Maria Pino disembarked in Philadelphia as the first Italian War Bride in 1945, little did she know how her journey to America would differ from the pampered life she led as the youngest daughter of an aristocratic fur merchant in Bari, Italy.
What she did know is that the handsome young enlisted man who had been stationed in her family's home was very different than anyone she had ever met. And when they fell in love, at first hiding it from Maria's parents, their marriage at St. Mark's Cathedral led to a romance that endured over fifty years, until Samuel Pino passed away in 1995.
Maria rejoined her beloved Tuesday night, when she passed away just two months shy of her 92nd birthday.
Settling in Philadelphia after World War II, Sam and Maria decided to reenlist in the Armed Forces, which led Sam to a career in the Air Force from which he retired as a Captain in 1963.
The couple, with their daughter, Joy, and son, Larry, moved to South Jersey where Sam worked for General Electric for seven years. Tiring of the cold, Sam and Maria moved to Central Florida in 1971, on the heels of the grand opening of Disney.
Making Central Florida home, Sam opened a sporting goods business, and Sam and Maria developed a network of friends who, along with their family, formed the foundation for a rich and nurturing life together.
When once asked where Maria was, Sam quipped that she was probably having lunch with one of her top 400 friends. Maria's upbringing, demeanor, loving spirit, passionate devotion to her family, and strength of character captivated her friends and dominated her life.
Maria captured that life in her book, Reminiscing: A True Love Story From the First Italian War Bride.
When once asked what she wanted her obituary to say about her, she responded, without hesitation, "Maria Pino: she aimed to please."
Maria is survived by her daughter, Joy, and son-in-law, Jim, of The Villages, her son, Larry, and daughter-in-law, Janet, of Winter Park, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Maria at St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park at 11AM on Saturday, February 15th, followed by the funeral at The Palm Cemetery in Winter Park. Friends are encouraged to attend.
First Italian War Bride "Aimed to Please"
When Maria Pino disembarked in Philadelphia as the first Italian War Bride in 1945, little did she know how her journey to America would differ from the pampered life she led as the youngest daughter of an aristocratic fur merchant in Bari, Italy.
What she did know is that the handsome young enlisted man who had been stationed in her family's home was very different than anyone she had ever met. And when they fell in love, at first hiding it from Maria's parents, their marriage at St. Mark's Cathedral led to a romance that endured over fifty years, until Samuel Pino passed away in 1995.
Maria rejoined her beloved Tuesday night, when she passed away just two months shy of her 92nd birthday.
Settling in Philadelphia after World War II, Sam and Maria decided to reenlist in the Armed Forces, which led Sam to a career in the Air Force from which he retired as a Captain in 1963.
The couple, with their daughter, Joy, and son, Larry, moved to South Jersey where Sam worked for General Electric for seven years. Tiring of the cold, Sam and Maria moved to Central Florida in 1971, on the heels of the grand opening of Disney.
Making Central Florida home, Sam opened a sporting goods business, and Sam and Maria developed a network of friends who, along with their family, formed the foundation for a rich and nurturing life together.
When once asked where Maria was, Sam quipped that she was probably having lunch with one of her top 400 friends. Maria's upbringing, demeanor, loving spirit, passionate devotion to her family, and strength of character captivated her friends and dominated her life.
Maria captured that life in her book, Reminiscing: A True Love Story From the First Italian War Bride.
When once asked what she wanted her obituary to say about her, she responded, without hesitation, "Maria Pino: she aimed to please."
Maria is survived by her daughter, Joy, and son-in-law, Jim, of The Villages, her son, Larry, and daughter-in-law, Janet, of Winter Park, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Maria at St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park at 11AM on Saturday, February 15th, followed by the funeral at The Palm Cemetery in Winter Park. Friends are encouraged to attend.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria R. Pino, please visit our flower store.
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