Pino Gravina

In Loving Memory: Celebrating Pino Gravina at 50 – Forever in our hearts

This year, we remember and celebrate what would have been Pino’s 50th birthday - a milestone that reminds us not only of who we lost, but of a life that was lived, and lived to the fullest.

Pino was a devoted husband to Jennifer, a proud father of three – Jacob, Victoria and Julia - and a much-loved elementary school teacher who poured his heart into everyone he knew. Whether in the classroom or at home, he had a gift for making people feel seen, heard and supported. Pino was more than a teacher of academics, he taught what really mattered – kindness, determination and finding happiness in everyday moments.

Outside of teaching, Pino had a passion for staying active. He wasn’t just into fitness - he lived it. From marathons to Ironman competitions, he pushed his limits. Weight training was his therapy, his reset button and a part of who he was. He balanced his discipline with ease, offsetting a workout with his favorite foods: pizza and sweet treats.

He also had a fire in him. A true Stallone superfan, Pino found inspiration in the grit and heart of Rocky - the power of the underdog and the ultimate triumph against the odds. It reflected something in himself: the way he approached challenges head-on, with a fighter's spirit and a heart full of hope. That spirit defined how he lived: determined, focused and full of fight. It also inspired the name of the team that walks in his honour - Stallion Survivors.

Pino was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2006. Though Pino faced his diagnosis with unwavering strength and determination, this was one fight he couldn’t win. Yet even in the end, he showed us what true courage looks like. He passed away in July 2008, surrounded by those who loved him most.

Since 2008, his family and friends have come together every year, walking in his honor at this very event. Pino had hoped to walk alongside them, shining a white lantern as a survivor, holding onto that goal with quiet determination. Though he was not able to walk alongside them that year, his presence is still felt in every stride. Every step taken by Stallion Survivors is a tribute to his fighting spirit, his boundless heart and the way his memory makes us all better.

Though his time with us was far too brief, Pino continues to inspire us. His legacy lives on in the laughter of his children, the strength of his spouse, the students who still remember him and in every person who was lucky enough to know him. This year, as we remember him on his 50th, we do so with hearts full of love, gratitude and Pino’s smile etched in our memories.