STAFFORD – Joe Pinto was a familiar face in Stafford Township. Even if you didn’t know him, you knew his bike. The bright blue three-wheeler with its canopy and radio was as iconic as Joe himself, often parked outside the Stafford Diner.
Joe passed away on November 15 at age 59. His death leaves a hole in the community, but his memory will live on through the stories people share.
Regular visits to the Stafford Diner were a central part of Joe’s daily routine. He wasn’t just a diner regular; he was a fixture. Stafford Diner owner Maria Davlouros recalled Joe’s unwavering helpfulness when he stopped in at least three times a day.
“Everybody loved him,” she said. “He would pick up trash or do whatever he could to help. We’re all going to miss him.”
Known for his love for the Mets and both the Cowboys and Giants, Joe had a special connection with those around him. His charm extended to the diner staff, where he earned a reputation as a “ladies’ man.” The waitresses enjoyed his attention and the way he made them smile.
Joe lived with cerebral palsy, but he never let that define him. His speech and motor impairments made communication a challenge and also masked his understanding of everything around him.
Darla Nowick, a special needs teacher, met Joe 15 years ago, and over time, they became close friends. Five years ago, she also became his support coordinator, ensuring he received the services he needed for his disabilities.
“Joe was a really smart guy with a great sense of humor,” shared Nowick. “Frequently, people would talk in front of him about him – never realizing he was soaking in every little bit of what they were saying.”
“He had some really good stories to tell because of it,” Nowick continued.
“People should know Joe felt normal inside and trapped within his body because of his inability to get things out right away,” she said.
Joe’s family was a big part of his life. He was born next to the last in a family of six kids. His brother Ricky said the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck at birth. Doctors urged their parents to put Joe in long-term care instead of bringing him home.
“My mother was a devout Catholic and prayed to St. Joseph,” Ricky said. “Joe was born in March, and my mother said that if everything went well, she would take him home.”
Every March 19, the Pinto family honored St. Joseph with a large statue displayed in their home. Deeply religious, Joe kept the tradition alive after his mother’s passing. He faithfully set up her statue alongside a smaller one of his own and marked the occasion by enjoying a zeppole as a sign of respect.
Joe’s determination and spirit shone brightly, even with his physical limitations. He was the only one of the six siblings who learned to swim and cherished family trips to Wildwood.
Ten years ago, when Joe’s original bike broke down, the community rallied together.
Angela Randall, another of Joe’s friends and neighbors, credited Nowick with investigating and discovering the first bike was beyond repair. Within no time, more than 50 families came together to donate enough money for a brand-new bike and gift cards to his favorite local places.
Nowick secured the bike, and Randall’s husband assembled it. A neighbor, Mike, who had previously helped maintain Joe’s old bike, made additional adjustments, while Joe’s brother added a canopy to protect him from the sun and rain. The overwhelming generosity of the Ocean Acres community ensured Joe had his independence restored.
Later, when Joe thought he’d do better with a little more power, the community came together again to provide a motorized scooter. However, it turned out that Joe found the scooter too wobbly and unsteady.
“That’s when one of the neighbors built the enclosure around Joe’s bike,” shared Nowick. “So that when he rode in the rain or show, it would protect him. He actually had a radio in there and lights.”
Joe’s celebrity status was evident even in the hospital during his final days. Staff recognized him as “Joe, who rides the blue bike.” He passed away leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met.
To honor Joe’s memory, his family chose to donate his beloved bike to someone who would treasure it as much as he did. A post on social media invited suggestions for a deserving recipient. A heartfelt letter from Lori Wyrsch stood out. Writing on behalf of her 33-year-old brother, Matt Ominski, who has Down syndrome, Lori made the decision clear for Joe’s family.
“He is going to be so excited,” said Matt’s sister. “All he ever wanted was to have his own car. This bike will be such an amazing surprise.”
A plaque on the bike will read, “To Matt, from Joe.” It’s a gift of freedom and friendship – just the way Joe would have wanted.
