by Cris Italia
Pontecorvo started his career in Real Estate in the 1970's after working for most of his career as a buildings inspector for the city of Long Beach. I wanted to go into real estate because of the knowledge I had about homes and businesses in the area, Pontecorvo said of the properties he sold.
I offer the people I sell to honesty, in a business that has to be honest in this area, Pontecorvo explained. You can't lie to the people you sell homes and property to, they are the going to be your neighbors, so I'm forming relationships for a lifetime.
The 45 year old Realtor grew up in Long Beach idolizing his grandparents. They came to this country and started their own business, Pontecorvo said of his grandfather Michael Semilekolos. His grandfather started a restaurant Ships-A-Hoy in Manhattan and then opened two additional restaurants in Long Beach in the early 1940's.
I grew up on Neptune Boulevard and Shore Road, right on the beach, Pontecorvo said. He remembers working as a paperboy for Newsday. That was my first job, and Newsday was just starting out back then, so it was nice just being part of something of something new.
Pontecorvo worked hard on his paper route, emulating his grandparents and parents work ethic. He took his job seriously and eventually he became an honored carrier for his years of service. We're talking about a paper route that started out as 35 and has grown to over 1,500 people, he said.
His stint as a building and fire inspector for the city of Long Beach was short, but it taught him a lot about what he would eventually be selling. It also introduced him to the world of politics and volunteer work. I met everyone, and I was proud to have been a part of the rebuilding of Long Beach, Pontecorvo said.
Now labeled the local historian in Long Beach, Pontecorvo volunteers his time to Long Beach and Island Park as much as possible. I want to help out anyone, and if anyone needs advice or just some knowledge about business, I always have an open door.
In the 1980's, Pontecorvo moved his family to Island Park. His heart however would always remain in Long Beach. We still have a home there, so Long Beach will never be far from our hearts, Pontecorvo said of his feelings of his former home.
His wife, Edith and two children, Christina, 19, and Joseph, 16, were on hand two weeks ago when Pontecorvo was honored by the Island Park Chamber of Commerce. At the honorary dinner, Pontecorvo was praised not only from his fellow Chamber members, but also Mayor Jacqueline Papatsos, Assemblyman Harvey Wesenberg, and County legislator Mike Zapson.
[Pontecorvo] is a quality man, Wesenberg said. He gives so much to his community and I can't think of a better man for this award.
Zapson also had only nice things to say about the Pontecorvo. When he gets involved in something he really gets involved. He makes this a better community and whatever he does, he always does it well, Zapson said.
Despite his working for Custom Wise Real Estate on East Park Avenue in Long Beach, Pontecorvo has his hands on several volunteer organizations. Pontecorvo is currently the director of the Long Beach Island Board Realtors and also works as a consultant for Nassau Business Services. He also spends his free time as a member of the Island Park Boys Scouts, the Long Beach Historical Society, the Oceanside Knights of Columbus, and was appointed as a trustee for the Legislative Committee of the Nassau County Library Association. In addition he is an elected member of the Island Park Library Board.
The list is impressive, but it is all part of Pontecorvo's love for his surroundings. I just want to be able to help out any way I can, because this is my neighborhood, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Feel free to contact Pontecorvo if you have any questions or to seek advice at (516) 235-2424 or email him at jponte@mlslirealtor.com.
