George "Al" Valentino

George “Al” Valentino died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 22, 2019, with his beloved wife, Gloria by his side.  Heaven gained another angel.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, Al was a man of integrity and principle, devoting his early years to raising his young children, after the loss of his first wife, Helen (Banach) Valentino, while working at Flagg Palmer until his retirement in 1993.  Not one to sit still, he embarked on his second career as a driver for Harr Motor Group, which he enjoyed until his second retirement in 2014.  He was a member of Saint John’s Church in Worcester, where he was a fixture at the 4:15 Mass, volunteering as an usher. He was a life long member of the Knights of Columbus, and he enjoyed trips to Atlantic City.

Al loved his country, serving proudly in the U.S. Coast Guard aboard the Susan V. Luckenbach and later in the U.S. Army as a medic from 1944-1947.  Despite known heroics in the European Theatre, he seldom spoke of this; he would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his family.

In addition to his wife, Gloria (Amaral) Valentino, with whom he shared forty-nine wonderful years, he leaves his children, Deborah J. Valentino of Worcester, Sandra M. Silva and her husband Steven of Portsmouth, RI, Mark G. Valentino of Webster, and Scott G. Valentino and his wife Noreen of Oxford; his grandchildren, Scott Handren and his wife Tina, Jeffrey Handren and his partner Iris Bohensky, and Sarah Plants and her husband Josh, Chelsea Valentino and Michael Valentino; three great grandchildren, Molly, Lucy, and Arthur; nieces and nephews.

Al was born in Worcester on June 3, 1927, son of the late Antonio Bastino and Pearl (Derosier) Valentino.  He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, John R. Valentino, Rudolph Valentino, and Teresa P. Salmon.

He was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Calling Hours will be on Sunday, December 29, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral Mass will be on Monday, December 30, at 11 a.m. at Saint John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester (please go directly to church).  Interment will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Saint John’s Food for The Poor, 20 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604.