JAMES R. VALENTE Sr.

1931 - 2016

VALENTE, JAMES R., SR. In St. Raphael Hospital, Friday, March 11, 2016 James R. Valente, Sr., longtime resident of Guilford, passed away peacefully. Beloved husband of 61 years to Charlotte Albo Valente. Mr. Valente was born in New Haven on Sept. 23, 1931, son of the late Andrew and Philomena Cannata Valente. Father of James R. Valente, Jr. and his wife Arleen, Lisa Rubelmann and her husband Kurt, Tricia Edwards and her husband Peter, Carla Giannotti and her husband Kenneth, all of East Haven and the late Jeffrey L. Valente. Brother of Lois Valente Jones. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and his beloved four legged best friend, Kooba. Mr. Valente attended the Admiral Bullard Academy in New London and served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked with his dad at the Sachem Coffee Shop in New Haven. Soon after the Valente family moved to Guilford, where James worked again with his father, Andrew Valente, original owner of the Sachem Country House. He was also the owner of the Shoe Hut in Guilford and most recently owned J.V. Wine and Spirits for 13 years before retiring. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George Catholic Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Wednesday, March 16, at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, Boston St., Guilford. There will be NO Calling Hours. Due to the Lenten season pleased do NOT send flowers to Church. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit: www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com