Obituary of John J. Valentino, Jr.

Clifton Park, NY  

John Valentino, 80, of Clifton Park, died peacefully on September 29th from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Beacon, NY, on July 11th 1943, John was the son of the late John J. Valentino Sr. and Josephine Longi Valentino and the stepson to the late Mary Cerniglia Valentino.

John graduated from St John the Evangelist school in Beacon and St. Patrick’s High School in Newburgh, NY. In 1965 John earned his bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College, followed by a master’s degree in Russian linguistics from the University of Chicago. Finally, John received his MBA from Pace University.

Having taught for 29 years in the Wappingers Central School District, John was an integral member of the district's foreign language department as well as teaching business law. He was a linguist in several languages including French, Italian, German, Russian, and Chinese. A lover of many cultures, and humanity, John traveled extensively with colleagues and close friends to such fascinating countries as France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Ireland, Great Britain, India, Egypt, Israel, Vietnam, China, and more. John eventually taught Italian and accounting at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

John was an excellent cook. He had a unique sense of humor and enjoyed making people smile. He cherished his pets, including his collies Sonia and Troika as well as his beloved sheltie Macintosh. Also, through the years, John has had several feline companions, Misha, Sasha, Missy, Mr. Moika, and Slinky. In his retirement years, he spent many days caring for his elderly neighbors and family in his community.

John is survived by his sister Joanne L. Butterfield (James), his niece/god-daughter Joanna Francesca Butterfield, nephew Evan Valentino Butterfield (Meaghan) and his beloved great nephews Lincoln Valentino Butterfield and Beckett Holmes Butterfield. In addition, he was also blessed to have a wonderful extended family: his step-sister, the late Joyce (Cerniglia) Iaccino of Hyde Park, NY, the late Dr. Carl Cerniglia of Little Rock, AK, and Ronald (Lynn) Cerniglia of North Carolina.  John was a wonderful and caring individual who had several life-long friends who, to this day, will cherish moments/memories of him.

While living in Clifton Park, John was a communicant of St. Edward’s Church where he enjoyed serving and helping other parishioners at St. John’s St. Anne’s Welcome Table.

John’s family would like to extend much gratitude to his exceptional caregiver team for their patience, understanding, and care as John’s Parkinson’s progressed. Lynne Hallenbeck, Lisa Modest, Jennifer Francis, Jordyn Grignon, Jessica Gonzalez, Kara Kosakiewicz, and Tracey Ambesi. Kindness and compassion in caregiving was never a miss with John’s team. They did it all (much love & thank you). The family would also like to extend many thanks to the nurses of St. Peter’s Health Palliative Care team and the Hospice Care team, as well as Dr. Eric Mohlo and nurses of Albany Med’s Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday October 14th, at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in John’s honor to The Covenant House International, Hospice Care, or American Parkinson Disease Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 US-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065, 518371-5454.