Samuel J. Pingitore

Samuel Joseph Pingitore, aka “Coach Ping” aka “Papa Ping”, entered eternal life on September 1, 2022 at the age of 88, peacefully and comfortably at his son’s home in Tinton Falls where he enjoyed his final months with his family.

A native of Long Branch, Samuel was born on July 15, 1934 to Joseph “Tuffy” Pingitore and Rose Cerone – Pingitore. Sam spent much of his childhood playing in the streets of Long Branch with longtime friend of nearly 75 years, Edward “Eddie” Bruno, currently of Oceanport.

He attended Star of the Sea in Long Branch and graduated Red Bank Catholic.  He was an avid basketball and football player holding a few records for a number of years.  He enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served 6 years from 1956-1962. He spent much of his adult life in Red Bank, where he and his ex-wife, Elizabeth Ann Gill (surviving, of Tinton Falls) opened the hair salon, Comb and Scissors and raised their only child, Thomas Joseph “TJ” Pingitore. Sam retired and spent his remaining years in Eatontown before spending his final months with his family in Tinton Falls

Samuel Pingitore was well known and well-loved as a 20+ year coach for Long Branch Pop Warner football. With records that still stand today, including 2 years undefeated and unscored upon, Coach Ping thrived by helping the kids he coached on and off the field.

He loved his family, his son TJ, his two grandchildren TJ (3 years) and Mira (2 months), his daughter in law Samantha, his friends, sports, dancing, helping people, having an opinion, and was very generous throughout his life. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching TV, Dunkin’ Donuts with his buddies, and “splatter art” as he called it.  He had his black SUV painted bright green so he wouldn’t get lost at the movies with all the other cars.  He painted his mother’s tombstone blue for the same reason, so he could find it.

His son said “Dad was funny, direct, opinionated, caring, a ball of energy, and tenacious as an athlete, coach, father, and grandfather but most of all he had a great heart and loving until his final breath with us at our home.  When you hugged him, he melted.  Family was everything to my Dad and so were the kids he coached.”

Sam is survived by his son Thomas “TJ” Pingitore, daughter-in-Law Samantha Pingitore, 2 grandkids Thomas “TJ” Pingitore II, and Miranda “Mira” Pingitore, of Tinton Falls, his son Bryan Birmingham of Florida, his amazing sister Angela Fragale of Monmouth Beach and her children; his niece Joanne Fragale, nephew Pat Fragale, niece Dina Fragale and 6 Grand nephews and nieces Brielle, Pat Jr, Maggie, Miya, Madison, and Jade.  Also the many Cerone and Pingitore cousins he loved dearly. And finally his dog Daisy, who he loved.  A special thank you to Eddie Bruno for his decades of friendship and to Martha “Marty” Miller of Eatontown for her great care and friendship to Samuel.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 6 from 4-7 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch. Funeral services will begin on Wednesday, September 7, at 11 am at the funeral home followed by a 12 noon Mass at St. Michael’s Church in West End, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VNA Health Group, 23 Main Street, Suite D1, Holmdel NJ 07733 or the Long Branch Youth Football & Cheer, 642 Morford Avenue, Long Branch NJ 07740. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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