The Pinebrook Name:

The name Pinebrook was chosen in memory of Joseph Incandela, the father of Pinebrook’s president. Joseph, or "Big Joe" as he was known in the community, was an Air Force Korean War veteran who dedicated his life to America’s youth. A teacher for over 35 years in the Deer Park, NY school system, he was also a volunteer sports coach and actively involved in the Deer Park community.

The patriarch of an Italian family with 5 children, he was a gregarious storyteller who often entertained the family at the dinner table with stories that were part fact, but predominantly fiction. One evening when telling a story to the family, one of his sons asked Big Joe the name of the man in the story. The immediate reply was Joe. When another son asked “Joe who”, Big Joe looked past his children to the kitchen counter behind them. The counter held several bottles of Pinebrook soda, a local Long Island soft drink company. After reflecting for a while, Big Joe smiled at the family and replied, “Joe Pinebrook” and from that day on, hardly a story was told in the Incandela house that did not prompt one of the kids to ask if “Joe Pinebrook” was involved.

Joseph Incandela passed away in 1995 after a long, courageous battle against cancer. He will always be missed and always be remembered.