Mauro "Moe" Valente

Mauro "Moe" Valente, 89, of Worcester passed away Sunday, March 13, 2011 surrounded by his loving wife, friends and family.

Mauro was born in Worcester, February 14th 1922, a son of Girolamo and Chiarina (Carelli) Valente and has lived here all his life.

Mauro's first wife Alice I. (Gokmant) Valente passed away in 1996. He is survived by his devoted wife of the past 12 years, Donna (Saari) Valente and daughter Lillianna Saari; his four children: Gerald Valente in New Jersey, Paul Valente and his wife Marie, Carine Mastrocola and Lisa Amoroso all of Worcester; a brother, George Valente in California; four granddaughters; two great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends including Richard "Dick" Sabatalo. A brother, Frank Valente predeceased him.

Moe owned and operated Valente Construction Company all his life which was his pride and joy.

Mauro was very much an outdoorsman who enjoyed nature and all associated with it. He dedicated long, hard, summer days to tending his garden yearly, a tradition started by his mother and father that turned into a passion for Mauro and stayed with him his entire life. He loved also to fish, go cohoaging and travel. He was a down-to-earth man who lived by nobody's rules but his own. People that knew him can truthfully say he did what he wanted, when he wanted, and how he wanted to do it. Although often described as a "tough guy" Mauro had an extremely big and kind heart, genuine in everything he did and said. Mauro loved a challenge. He was an extremely intelligent man in business and life's choices. Some may have seen him as a risk taker, but the truth is every step he made was well planned and thought out, always having a reason behind his actions. He was a great friend to everyone, helping a lot of people and contractors starting up, always one to give the underdog a chance. He was an extremely proud and hard working man dedicated to all of his responsibilities leaving nothing half finished. He was respected and looked up to by countless people and can be described as truly one of a kind. Mauro left an imprint on this earth like no other which will be remembered for years to come by those who can proudly say they knew and loved him.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family Thursday, March 17th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. A service will follow at 7 pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, National Processing Center, Attn: Honor & Memorial Gifts, PO Box 1245, Albert Lea, MN, 56007-9976.