Wallace Manuel Pina

Wallace M. Pina, age 92 of Sarasota, FL passed away on June 8, 2024. Wallace was born in
Manhattan, NY, and grew up in Washington Heights NYC. He later lived with his family in Rye and
Somers, NY in Westchester County. He also lived in Caroga Lake, NY and Sarasota, FL. He had five
children and was happily married to his wife, Synnove for 72 years. He loved spending time with family,
cooking, being outdoors, especially golfing, hiking, skiing, sailing and being on his boat on the water. He
enjoyed his retirement hobby of creating unique and beautiful stained-glass pieces for family and
friends.
Wally was a two-time hall of famer at John Jay College and Manhattan College. He was a Professor
Emeritus at John Jay College where he was the Athletic Director, Chairman and Professor of Health and
Physical Fitness. At John Jay, he developed the fitness center for the college in the 1980’s. At that time,
he was also the President of the City University’s Athletic program and President of the Westchester
Track Association. Before John Jay College, where he retired, he was a full Professor at Hostos
community college in NYC, as well as the Physical education instructor and head track & field coach at
New Rochelle High School. Under his coaching at New Rochelle HS in the 60’s they won every track and
field championship title in Westchester County, NY. Wally graduated from George Washington HS in
NYC and went on to graduate from Manhattan College on a full track & field scholarship. Wally loved to
talk about his track competitions and still holds many records to date. He also received his Master’s
degree and completed doctoral courses from Columbia University. He was proud to have served in the
Marine Corp as a first lieutenant in the infantry during the Korean War.
Wally was one of the longest members of over 40 years of the Sons of Norway in New York and
Sarasota, FL, remaining a member until the club folded. He was President of Kiwanis club in Rye NY and
was an active member of the lions club in Somers NY where he also organized the Somers Invitational
track meet for many years at Somers High School. He was also a member of the Faith Lutheran Church
in Sarasota, FL.
Preceding him in death are his wife Synnove Pina, sons Gerald (Christy) Pina, Robert (Annie), and
Michael Pina.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Susan (William) Barczak, Amanda (Michael) Kulaw;
grandchildren Jennifer (Bryce) March, Samantha (Craig) Young, Veronica Barczak, Jason
(Chris) Pina, Christopher (Mckaila) Pina, Jonathan Pina, and Andrew Pina; great-grandchildren Calvin
March, Juniper Young, Jocelyn Pina and Evelyn Lennell Aurora Pina.
A service will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, in the morning at Faith Lutheran Church in Sarasota,
FL. A military service will be held after the church service at the Sarasota national cemetery in Sarasota
at 12:30pm.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Faith Lutheran Church
www.faithlutheransrq.com or Tidewell Hospice https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wallace Manuel Pina, please visit our floral store.