Chester Blasé Pinto Jr. (Chet) was born at home June 4th, 1934 in Lawrence, New York to Italian immigrant parents, Chester Blasé Pinto Sr. and Josephine Stile Pinto. Chet was the youngest child in his family, his 5 siblings being Rosolino, Thomas, Geraldine, Sabado and Prudencia. Early in Chet’s life the family traveled across the country and resettled in North Hollywood, California.

Chet graduated from North Hollywood High School on June 19, 1952 then proceeded to get his Associate degree at Los Angeles Valley Community College before obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Insurance in 1958 from the University of Southern California. While at USC, Chet made lifelong friendships with his Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers, with whom he had us spend many family vacations together house boating on Lake Shasta, Lake Powell, and Lake Trinity.

Chet met his beautiful bride to be Nancy (Mary Ann Knack) while working at Farmers Insurance Company. They married in 1961, on June 3rd and proceeded to spend a lifetime together, building a business, raising a family, and remembering to grow their bond of love for each other. Nancy was his “Carmela” and he was her “Ton”. Success was achieved; they spent 63 joyful years together.

Chet was the generous, loving father to his six children, Chester B III, Joanne, Nancy, Karen, Gina and Fred. His children produced 9 grandchildren: Taylor, Shelby, Dylan, Jake, Reiley, Caden, Charley, Rico and Ramsey that he was “Papa” to, one of his greatest roles later in life! He was additionally blessed to be “Great Papa” to his 4 great grandchildren, Walker, Ford, Van and Harlan.

Chet achieved his business success while partnering with his brother Ross manufacturing and distributing lawn and garden products at Tru-Cut Inc. in Los Angeles County. He relocated the distribution component, Tru-Power Inc. to Riverside County in 2002, and became the sole owner. His business acumen was impressive; he was a great negotiator and his work ethic unrivaled. Chet was beloved and respected by his longtime employees and his business associates. Chet worked alongside his daughter Joanne until Tru-Power was sold in 2020.

Chet showed his love mostly through acts of service. He loved to fix things, and fixed just about everything that broke, from a kitchen garbage disposal on Westpark to a backyard fountain on Calcutta. When Chet realized his time was growing short, he spent his final days making sure everything he needed to accomplish was completed. He checked every box. He did not want Carm to stress when he was gone.

Throughout Chet’s life he embraced his Italian heritage. He traveled repeatedly to Italy with both family and friends. He enjoyed the sounds of Luciano Pavarotti and The Godfather movies of Francis Ford Coppola. And let’s not forget his love for The Soprano’s!

Chet always made us all laugh with his endless jokes, especially around the family dinner table. He kept his sense of humor through the very end, which came far too soon despite his 90 years here. Days before he passed, he shared a story about the book he was currently working on, ‘Going Home’. For us, Chet’s home will forever be in our hearts as we cherish the memories of his life.

“Carm”, his daughters and his grandchildren spent time by his side during his final days. Chet wanted to do it ‘his way’, at home with his family. He had lived a life that was full. We loved, we laughed, we cried. Through it all, he stood tall. Chet went home August 13, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital at Stjude.org

We love you Chester B/Chet/Ton/Dad/Pops/Papa ------ Fight On!!!!!!!!!