Joseph G. Valentino

Joseph Gaitano Valentino, 76, of The Meadows, Washington Township, died at 7:10 a.m. Friday (May 2, 2003) at Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, Harrison.

He was born May 14, 1926, in Vandergrift, and lived in Allegheny Township for many years prior to moving to Washington Township two years ago. A Navy veteran of World War II, he received the American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific European Theater Ribbon with one star, and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon. In 1992 he was awarded the Russian Medallion for Murmansk Run, 1944 to 1945, from then Russian President Boris Yeltsin. A ship's gunner, Mr. Valentino helped transport war supplies, such as tanks and ammunition to Russia, assisting in that country's attempts to drive out the Germans. He also served at Omaha Beach, the Persian Gulf, in the Mediterranean, and at Normandy Beach on D-Day. A rigger in Department No. 9, Brackenridge works of Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp., he retired in 1990 after 40 years employment. Mr. Valentino was a member of Dayspring Christian Center in Tarentum, Vandergrift Veterans of Foreign Wars, Spring Church Sportsmen's Club, North America Fishing Club, Full Gospel Businessmen's Association of New Kensington, and was music leader of John 13 Fellowship. An avid fisherman, he also enjoyed playing the guitar. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marie E. Trogolo Ardisson Valentino; a son, Joseph A. (Dawn) Valentino of Cambridge, Ohio; two daughters, Margherita E. Samay of East Vandergrift and Mrs. Jolene A. (Robert) Altman of Allegheny Township; five grandchildren; a great-grandson; a brother, August F. Hampson of Lawrence; and two sisters, Marie T. Kouche of Strabane and Leona M. Smith of Summerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph R. and Elizabeth M. Tissuer Hampson Valentino; a brother, John R. Hampson; and a sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Long. Friends will be welcomed by his family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at CLAWSON'S, Second at Main, Leechburg, where funeral ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. Monday. Officiating will be his pastor, the Rev. Gregory Blythe and the Rev. Raymond E. Patterson, co-officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, with full military honors accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard, who will also hold a chapel service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to Scleroderma Foundation, 12 Kent Way, Suite 101, Byfield, Mass. 01922 or National Kidney Foundation of Western Pennsylvania Inc., 555 Grant St., Suite 380, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219-4408 or American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 700, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235. Visit CLAWSON'S at www.clawsonfuneralhome.com.