New York, New York
'Our Life of the Party'
Anyone who ever heard the message on Benito Valentin's cellphone knows something about how he chose to live life, always looking for a laugh and a little fun. Ever the comedian, Mr. Valentin, 33, who worked for American Express, teased his callers with a message that said: "Hello, hello, how you doing? Oh, this is a recording."
Now Grissel Valentin, the woman he married on Valentine's Day 11 years ago, the mother of his three girls, calls to hear his voice two, sometimes three, times a day. It is a link to the man who, when he was not making people laugh, rushed home from work to talk baseball and dance salsa with his daughters, Danyelle, Jailene and Alyssa. "He was our life of the party," Mrs. Valentin said. "As long as I can hear his voice, I have hope that he isn't lying somewhere crushed but just trapped. We miss him too much to believe he's gone."
I had to google your name Benito, (bad bunny) & to read about you being the life of the party made me smile! Rest Well saw your name on the 9/11 memorial & it just stood out to me
November 02, 2025
Just writing to let you know that I did not know you, but I came across your name in a Time magazine article from Sept 24, 2001 that had your missing poster. All these years later, you are not forgotten. Thinking of you and your loved ones.
Nikki
May 11, 2025 | Acquaintance
Remembering a great father, friend and over all a great human being. Every year around this time, names are called ,memories shared and stories told in remembrance of all those we lost. But it's more than just reading names of loved ones. It's reliving the pain of that day. Rest well my friend,for one day we will all be together again. Peace to everyone who knew and loved you.
Windsor Santiago
September 18, 2023 | Bronx, NY | Friend
Although I didn´t know Benito well, we did have a class in Julia Richman H.S.. What I did remember was his kind face and his name... When I saw his face in a newspaper as one of the one´s missing, I said..That´s Benito....It´s been 23 years.. faces are never forgotten and I know my God Jehovah doesn´t forget them either...
Ivonne
September 16, 2023 | School
I went 2 elementary school w Benito. I remembered Benito was a sweetheart n kind. Benito was also very funny. Broke my heart 2 hear of Beinto's passing. I heard Benito was a great husband n father. I am not surprised. 2 Benito's wife n daughters I am so so sorry. Blessings 2 u always.
Sandra Acosta
September 11, 2022 | School
Yesterday was a rough day. The memory of you just took over from the very beginning. God only knows how much you are still loved and missed.
Grissel Valentin
July 09, 2020 | Bergen County, NJ | Spouse
Mom misses you mr Valentin- Joann Hylens daughter
Deirdre O'Callaghan
September 11, 2019 | Peru, NY | Coworker
We send our heartfelt condolences to your family for this great loss. Everyday may God continue to give the help needed.Words can never remove the pain of losing someone special but they show that others still do care. Benito touched the lives of many people and will always be fondly remembered.
The Lucas Family
December 05, 2018
WOW! BENITO, MY MAN! WE GRADUATED FROM JULIA RICHMAN HIGH SCHOOL IN JUNE OF 1986. DESPITE LOSING CONTACT, YOU, I AND THE REST OF THE CLASS WOULD BE TURNING "50" I JUST FOUND OUT THAT YOU PASSED AWAY. 17 YEARS AFTER THE FACT. FOR YEARS, I LISTENED TO THE MEMORIAL READING OF NAMES AND IT WAS JUST TOO LONG TO FULLY COMPREHEND. WHEN I HEARD A YOUNG LADY SAY YOUR NAME. I WAS FLOORED! I HAD TO CHECK, ONCE I SAW YOUR PHOTO, I KNEW IT WAS YOU!
YOU AND I WERE BOTH FUNNY, BUT I BELIEVE YOU...
TROY YOUNGBLOOD
September 12, 2018 | MOUNT VERNON, NY | Classmate
