Ernest Pinto, 72, died Monday, September 26, 2011 at Baya Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. He was born in Bronx, New York, the son of the late Jacinto & Mary Colon Pinto. He has lived in Columbia County for the past 17 years having moved here from Orlando. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather who loved his family, fishing, and hunting, but golf was his favorite pastime. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Peter Pinto.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Marie Pinto of Lake City, FL; daughters, Donna (Carlos) Rivera of Simpsonville, SC; & Rosemary Everett of Lake City, FL; grandsons, Daniel, Jeremy (Shayla) & Joseph Rivera, granddaughter, Christy Everett; great granddaughter, Annaleigh Rivera and several close family friends also survive.

A gathering with the family will be held on Wednesday evening, September 28, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment services in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens will be at a later date. Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home 3596 S. U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida 32025, (386) 752-1954 is in charge of arrangements. Please sign our guestbook at www.gatewayforestlawn.com