John Pontino of Peconic died on May 5, 2025, at home. He was 88 years old.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1937, in Greenport to Catherine (Kasfrowech) and Lukas Pontino. He was one of four children. He married Martha A. Yost on Nov. 30, 1962, in Port Jefferson. He worked as a welder for the Suffolk County Department of Public Works in Westhampton and was also a farmer from a young age until the family sold the farm. He later worked as a welder for Tebbins & Company in Center Moriches before his position with the Suffolk County DPW. He was an active member of the Southold Fire Department. His family said he enjoyed car races and had a home in Ormand Beach, Florida, to attend the Daytona 500.
Predeceased by his wife and children, Judy Day and June Zackman, he is survived by his children Debbie Riley (Timothy) of Binghamton, New York and Patricia Gibaldi (Peter) of Rocky Point; and by se seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where firematic services will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Father Mickey Bancroft. Interment will follow at Sterling Cemetery in Greenport. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a cancer research foundation of one’s choice would be appreciated.
