Columbus, OH — Michael Pisko Jr., 87, of Freehold, N.J., has died.

Mr. Pisko made his final voyage to the other side so he can be reunited with his loving wife, Pamela, where the winds of heaven may dance between them in boundless peace.

He was born in the City of New York to Margaret and Michael Pisko, and spent most of his childhood in The Bronx where he would accompany his father to Yankee Stadium when his dad worked as an usher during the season. In his later teen years, he would seek the country quiet of Munsey, N.Y., where he lived with his Aunt Katherine and cousin Elaine who he was very fond of to this day.

Mr. Pisko resided most of his life in Freehold, N.J., and was an active horseman and original member of the Standardbred Owners Association of New Jersey. He was also a member of the USTA. He retired from harness racing in 2001 as a driver, trainer, and owner. As a trainer, he registered 760 starts between 1991 and 2001, with 228 win, place, or show finishes for a total of $383,702 in purses. In his retirement, he continued his passion for horse racing, along with his wife, Pamela, as a partnership owner with Bob Hutt and Uptowncharleybrown LLC.

He was also an avid New York Giants football fan for more than 65 years, and as a pastime, really liked watching sports in general, especially football, baseball, hockey, basketball and of course, horse racing.

Mr. Pisko is survived by his cousin, Elaine Willar, and her son, Timothy Willar, and daughter, Terri Curran; brothers-in-law, Daniel Goger and Francis (Elsje) Googer; sisters-in-law, Patricia Caruso and Deborah Goger; loving and caring niece, Sharon Caruso Jemas and her husband, Jim; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Pamela, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard, and his wife, and is survived by their daughters, Dianne Lindner and Karen Rullo.

He was also very fond of his best friend of 30 years, Mike Fagilarone and his wife, Karen, and Kathy Carrcirio and her sister, Victoria Drury, whom he took under his wing when they were young girls and helped raise into their adulthood.

A viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home in Freehold, N.J., Tuesday (April 19) from 12-1 p.m., followed by a brief memorial and remembrance.

Memorial contributions may be made to “Marty’s Place” Senior Dog Sanctuary and animal rescue service, 118 County Rd. 526, Allentown, NJ 08501.