Obituary of Joseph Valenti

Joseph Valenti, 77, of Hampton, NJ and previously of Annandale, NJ passed away on January 6, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center. Joe was born on February 9, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Vito "Willie" and Sadie Valenti. Joe was a graduate of Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, NY, and attended Mitchell College of LIU. After graduating high school, he served his country honorably in the US Navy. As a young man, he was a natural athlete who excelled in baseball, skiing, and especially football. He worked in the automotive sales industry for over 55 years, the last 20 years of which were spent at Flemington Ford before his retirement in 2020. Anyone who knew Joe knows he had a large, dynamic personality and could command an audience with a perfectly crafted, outrageous joke. Joe enjoyed playing bocce and cards with family and friends, and he loved hosting large holiday gatherings. Joe also enjoyed watching movies, listening to Doo-wop music, and, in recent years since retiring, taking flight lessons to pursue his passion for flying. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Barbara, and their sons James, Pete, Robert (and his wife Alyssa), and daughter Lisa. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Simon and Cecilia, his sister Maria Taccogna, and his lifelong best friend John Passarello. In addition to his parents, Joe is predeceased by his brother, Vito Valenti. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ 08801. Inurnment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joe's name to the Veterans Affairs Administration at www.va.gov. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home, (908)-689-0119. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.