Joe Pintauro, Noted Playwright, Dies at 87

Joe Pintauro, a prolific playwright and fixture of the theatrical and literary worlds, died at home in Sag Harbor on May 29 in the company of his husband, Greg Therriault. He was 87.

The world premiere of his play “Men’s Lives,” an adaptation of Peter Matthiessen’s book about the fishermen of the South Fork, opened the first season of Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor in 1992. His many other plays include “Orchid,” which was produced with Olympia Dukakis and Peter Boyle at Circle Rep in New York City, and “Beside Herself,” which featured William Hurt, Calista Flockhart, and Lois Smith, also at Circle Rep.

Three of the works in “Metropolitan Operas,” his collection of 40 one-act plays, were adapted by Kevin Jeffers into “Salvation,” a contemporary musical theater piece that had its premiere at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill on May 25.

Mr. Pintauro also wrote novels, short stories, and, during the past 10 years, exhibited his photographs, a selection of which, titled “Nunc et Semper,” was published in 2013. His awards include the 2007 Guild Hall Academy of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in literary arts and the 2005 John Steinbeck Literary Award.

A funeral Mass will be said on June 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sag Harbor. A memorial service will be held in New York City at a later date.

Mr. Therriault suggested contributions in Mr. Pintauro’s memory to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975, or to the Sag Harbor Partnership, for the rebuilding of the Sag Harbor Cinema, P.O. Box 182, Sag Harbor 11963.

A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Star.