Ben Valocchi

Ben A. Valocchi, 96, of Downingtown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. He was the devoted husband of the late Amina Caporale Valocchi, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Mr. Valocchi was dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and believed deeply in the power of family and education. Born on September 2, 1920 in Johnsontown, he was the son of the late Serafino and Elizabeth Piccinni Valocchi. Ben graduated from Downingtown High School in 1938 and received his B.S. in Accounting from St. Joseph’s University in 1950, where he attended on the GI Bill. He is a member of the DHS Alumni Association. He proudly served his Country in the United States Army during World War II from December 2, 1942-February 25, 1946. He was stationed in Fort Hancock, NJ for Basic Training, Photo Intelligence School at Camp Ritchie, MD, actively served under General McArthur in the Pacific Theater, Manila and Philippines and being honorably discharged as a Tech Sargent/Officer of Personnel. Throughout Ben’s business and accounting career, he served as Treasurer, Controller and CFO for various companies, including Aeroprojects/ Sonoboard Corporation and Organic Recycling, Inc. Ben was also actively involved with Brandywine Savings & Loan in Downingtown as a Member of the Board of Directors and was the Founder and Director of AACO, Inc. in Downingtown. Mr. Valocchi and his wife Amina believed in the power of community as the responsibility to give back to and serve that community. He referred to it as “paying community rent”. He gave tirelessly to many community endeavors and organizations. He truly enjoyed every facet of his community activities and he especially enjoyed his time with the Amphibious Order of Frogs (AOOF-Frog Party), Malvern Retreat and the Downingtown Area Regional Authority. His years with the Frog Party- from being the first non-founding Committee member to Fearless Leader kept alive his love of Johnsontown, St. Anthony’s Lodge and his Italian origins. The annual August party found him holding Court shooting the breeze at one of the side tables enjoying conversations with every old friend and every new friend. This was always a joyful time for him. Mr. Valocchi’s strong Catholic faith came through in his 66 years as a Retreatant at Malvern Retreat League. Members of the Chester County Weekend Group would find him telling stories with his friends on the porch of the Retreat House. Throughout the years, he was a stalwart leader and recruiter of the Group serving as CA Caption for a decade. His success led him to be admitted to the League’s CA Captain Hall of Fame. His service both as a Board Member as well as President of the Board of the Downingtown Area Regional Authority combined his love of local politics, finance and problem solving. His twenty years of representing East Caln Township combined with his love of Downingtown brought out his talent for compromise and gentle persuasion in looking after the interests of all involved communities and helping to bring about a fair resolution to some very intricate problems. He loved the people he served with in all three of these organizations and had deep respect for each and every one of them. Most importantly, he enjoyed his time with them. In addition, He was an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish; A 4th Degree Knight he was a member of the Chester County Assembly # 1873 and the William J. Fenerty Council # 7208. Mr. Valocchi demanded of his children that which he demanded of himself: “If you are not going to do it to the best of your ability, don’t do it at all.” With his drive and his love, his children have prospered and he accomplished all of what he set out to do; and likewise taught to his children: “Our job was to help make your lives a little better than was ours and your jobs are to do the same for your children”. Ben is survived by his children, Stephanie (Justin), Cheryl (Don) , Mary Jo (Zeke), Gregory, (Joan) Jeffrey (Beth), Kathryn (Andy), Christina (Rick), Michael (Natasa) and Susan (Kurt); 29 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren, his sister, Mary and his Godson, Brian Pomento. Ben was predeceased by his sons Stephen and Ben, Jr.(Shelly), his daughter Teri (Kevin), his granddaughter Katie, and by his siblings, Albert, Rose, William, Florence and Agnes. An evening visitation will be held from 5 to 8 pm on Monday, August 28th at St. Joseph Church, 338 Manor Ave., Downingtown, Pa. and again Tuesday morning 8:30 to 10 am. Followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Downingtown. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions to the Amina C. Valocchi Scholarship Fund 38 W. Lancaster Ave Downingtown, Pa 19335 or St. Joseph Church at the above address.