Samuel Valenti

Samuel A. Valenti Sr. DDS, 95, of Pittston, passed into eternal rest July 26, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Samuel was born July 1, 1930, in Pittston, Pa., at home. He was the only child born to the late Angeline Mangione and Joseph Valenti.

He graduated with honors from Pittston High School in 1948. He was a member of the Pittston High Marching Band, where he played clarinet. He was honored to sit in the first chair of the clarinet section during his four years of high school.

He attended college at the University of Scranton where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. He attended the University of Pittsburgh Dental School and graduated cum laude in 1952.

He then served in the U.S. Navy. He often told stories of his time at Floyd Bennett Field and stated that those were some of the happiest and most fulfilling times of his naval career. He opened a solo dental practice in Pittston in 1959. He served the community for over 50 years. He was a life member of the P.D.A. and Luzerne County Dental Society. He was a Third-Degree Knight of Columbus. While working full-time in his dental practice and raising a family, he furthered his dental education in New York City and became an orthodontist.

Sam is survived by his loving wife, the former Iola Ann Morgan, of Pittston. The couple were married on Feb. 8, 1964. They were blessed with three children, son, Samuel A. Valenti Jr. M.D., and his wife, the former Linda Polasky, of Moscow; two daughters, Angela D'Eliseo and her husband, Tony, of Laflin; and Iola Fredrickson and her husband, Rich, of Pittston; grandchildren, Samuel Martin Valenti; Gracie Angeline Valenti; Anthony Edward D'Eliseo Jr. and his fiancé, Emily Betterly; and Samuel Ronald D'Eliseo. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Robert Morgan, and his wife, Joan, of Wyoming; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Kerrigan for his exceptional care and to Fr. Paul McDonnell for his spiritual support.

To honor his wishes, funeral services are private.

Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home LLC, Pittston.

To leave a condolence, visit adoniziofuneralhome.com.