Calvin Pina

Calvin “P-Nut" Pina 70, of Mary Esther, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Calvin was born on April 27,1955, in Hyannis, Massachusetts to Laura (Pina) Andrade. Calvin dedicated his life to service, both as a fire fighter and in his community. He proudly served in the Fort Walton Beach (FWB) Fire Department from 1976 to 2008, retiring as an Engineer and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). His commitment to the Fort Walton Beach community was unwavering, and he was a source of inspiration to all who knew him. Calvin graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School where he was a star athlete in three sports - Football, Basketball and Track (Spring/Winter). He received numerous awards including but not limited to Prep All American Honors in football in 1973; Selection for South Eastern Mass Conference All Star (Track); Recipient for Balestracci Award(student athlete); Osford Benard Award for Outstanding Senior. Inducted into the New Bedford Vocational High School Hall of Fame in 1996 for his outstanding performance and participation in varsity sports from 1970-1974. Calvin was also awarded an athletic scholarship to attend Mass Maritime Academy where he played football. In 1975 on his way to California, he stopped in Fort Walton Beach and as fate would have it, he stayed and became a firefighter with the FWB Fire Department in 1976. It was at the fire department where the name P-Nut began. Prior to retiring from the fire department, PNut worked as a Loss Prevention Specialist at Bass Pro Shop in Destin, Florida from 2003 until he retired in 2022. As a firefighter, P-Nut was a member of the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association, received a Proclamation from the city of FWB for his service and the Retirement Award for his service as a firefighter from1976 to 2008. P-Nut was an avid motorcycle rider and because he rode Hogs (Harley Davidsons), he would most often be heard before seen. Numerous clubs sought after P-Nut, but it was the Gulf Coast Dragon MC that garnered his loyalty and commitment to brotherhood and community in the early 1990’s. Prior to his Dragon membership he rode independently, often with Charles Blacknall and others in and around FWB. P-Nut traveled to many places on his bike and encouraged others to come along to multiple cities throughout the nation. The Dragons acknowledged his love to ride by presenting him with Most Miles Traveled Honors in 2006. While he thundered through town on that bike, he could rock yo world, smoke yo stack and flow yo night with his swag on the mic. P-Nut started on the street corners of New Bedford singing doo wops, with his friends in the late 1960’s. P-Nut loved music and seeing people have a good time. In 2010, he started the Fam Jam Night at Beal Street Bottle Club. He met Joe Fingas during that time and would later combine their talents. The piano percussionist Joe Fingas and the Cape Verdean velvet voice fire fighter P-Nut formed the band Finga Faya. Finga Faya performed at various venues in the Emerald Coast area. You may have experienced the sound of Finga Faya at KC’s Friday Night Happy Hour or Wednesday Open Mic at the Downtown Music Hall (Green Door) and from time to time accompanying Jones & Co. at AJ’s in Destin. Devoted family man, P-Nut cherished every role: Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Uncle. He is survived by his loving wife Leola Pina; five children Jerica Little, Thadius Pina, Taquisha Brown, JiJuan and his wife Sheawna Pina, and Shajuana and her husband Douglas Brown; grandchildren Tatiana Pina, Jaede Williams, Dezirae Pina, Dajhae Smith, Samara Pina, Calvin Pina, Simona Pina, and Somila Pina; great grandchildren Jaeden Williams, Mazikeen Williams and Egypt Smith; brother Anthony Andrade; sister Isabel DeBarros and her husband Dana; nieces Erica DeBarros and Brittany DeBarros; great niece Riley Miranda; great nephew Robert Joseph Dennis and a host of other family and countless friends. Previously departed was his mother, Laura (Pina) Andrade, granddaughter Beverly Pina and grandson Jason Smith. Known by many as P-Nut in and around the Gulf Coast, he was also known as Calvin Hill (football) at home in New Bedford. P-Nut had a knack for storytelling and making others feel like they were the most important person in the world. If you know-you know. Let’s Celebrate P-Nut

A Celebration of Service will take place Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, 126 Harbeson Ave SE, Fort Walton Beach. Friends and family will gather immediately after the Service for fellowship at the Block, 113 Eglin Pkwy SE. Fort Walton Beach

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