Obituary
Valente, Salvatore (92), of Somerville, MA passed away surrounded by his entire family on July 14, 2025. He was born on April 28, 1933 in Gaeta, Italy to Damiano and Annina (Macero) Valente.
Around the age of 18, Sal went to find work in Venezuela. He spent five years there working in construction to provide for his family back in Gaeta. He returned to Italy to continue to help his father on the family farm. At that time he met Anna (Vaudo) Valente and they married on April 22, 1961. Anna immigrated to the United States and Sal joined her in 1962.
Sal worked in the meat packing district in Dorchester (Armour and Colonial) for many years and in the maintenance department at Bentley College for 12 years, retiring in 1998. Although he never received a formal education because of World War II, Sal knew how to fix, build or grow anything.
He took such pride in his garden, growing hundreds of tomato plants, rows and rows of arugula, basil, eggplant and his famous long zucchini that he grew along the top of his garage. No matter who you were, you would always leave his house with a bag of tomatoes from his garden.
Sal enjoyed tinkering in his garage, basement workshop and garden. He kept every scrap and spare piece of material, saving it, and making something completely unique. His workshop is filled with “Nonno’s inventions”. Near his workshop you’ll find his wine cellar with barrels where he dedicated decades of his life to making “vino” or as we liked to call it, “Nonno Juice” for all to enjoy.
Sal lived for his family, working hard to build a life in America from scratch; buying and renovating the house he lived in with Anna for over 40 years, raising two devoted sons, welcoming a beloved daughter-in-law, and being cherished by five adoring grandchildren. In addition to gardening and tinkering, Sal enjoyed family dinners, sharing stories and singing along to “musica napolitana”. He was a big fan of old cowboy westerns and the WWE. He enjoyed every moment spent with his friends and family, especially his great-grandson, Aaron.
Sal is predeceased by his parents, Damiano and Annina, his sisters Rosa and Rosa and his beloved wife Anna. He is survived by his brother Giovanni of Gaeta, Italy and sister Teresa; his sons; Danny and wife Paula of Malden, Anthony and fiancée Tanya and daughter Lia of Danvers; his granddaughters; Cristina, husband Matt of Glastonbury, CT; Elyse and partner O’Shane of Somerville; Gabriella and fiancé Andrew; Olivia and partner Dylan; his grandson, Daniel and great-grandson, Aaron.
After losing his wife, Anna, in 2023, Sal continued to live an independent, full and joyful life at home with the unwavering and dedicated support and care of his family, especially Elyse and O’Shane.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sal’s name to Massachusetts General Hospital.
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, Monday, July 21st 4:00PM ~ 7:00PM. Relatives and friends invited to attend.
Funeral Procession from the Doherty Funeral Home on Tuesday morning, July 22nd at 9:00AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, Medford at 10:00AM.
Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross, Chapel Hill, Mausoleum in Malden.