Fairport – Michael passed away at home on Sunday, January 20, 2019. Michael was a native of Syracuse, NY. He was awarded various patents and trademarks. Survived by beloved wife, Arlee Valentine; sons, Jeffrey M. (Jennifer) Valentine and Christopher P. (Lindsay) Valentine; grandchildren, Clara, Meredith, Makenzie, and Luca; sister, Ann Michele Kaplan; and a loving extended family.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 28, 2019, 11AM at St. John of Rochester Church (8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY 14450) followed by interment at White Haven Memorial Park (210 Marsh Rd., Pittsford, NY 14534).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Michael J. Valentine Charitable Fund, c/o Rochester Area Community Foundation, 500 East Ave., Rochester, 14607 or online at www.racf.org/Valentine. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, Fairport.
Comments
16 responses to “Valentine, Michael J.”
We wish to express our condolences to the family. Although we only knew Michael briefly, we found him to be an engaging, intelligent and generous man. He made contributions to our life which will last for years. We are proud to have known such a quality man, if only for a brief period. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten in our family. May God bless and keep you sir. Thanks for being a great part of our lives.
Dear Tara,
You were the last one to hear Michael’s voice. Two of his passions were wooden boats and fine wooden furniture; I know he was happy and proud to share his knowledge as his life ended quickly and without pain. You were one of the angels who brought peace as God welcomed him with open arms. Thank you!
Richard Venezia and Cece Gerteis and their families express our sympathies to our cousin’s family for their untimely loss. He was a caring and loving member of our extended family. He will be missed.
Dear Rick,
My utmost gratitude for your wisdom and sense of humor as well. Both attributes helped ease my shock with Michael’s untimely death.
Michael was my crush from when I first met him in seventh grade. He was tall, with dark curly hair, and a well-honed sense of humor. From that point and all through high school, Michael was Mr. Popularity. He had a knack for entertaining everyone with his skills as a magician. I still can’t figure out how he had a $20 bill show up inside a perfectly intact apple… a trick he performed at our 50th class reunion. My poor seventh-grade crush went unanswered, and he went on to marry his lovely Arlee Puchalski from my sister’s class. They made a perfect couple, as evidenced by their many loving years together. We will miss him with all our hearts. But I’m sure he’s entertaining our other (now passed) classmates somewhere among the stars. Or perhaps he’s hanging out with Sister Marion on some Heavenly beach, trading stories about their SJCA memories. So, while we are waving goodbye as he disappears from our sight, somewhere on a distant shore, others are welcoming him.
Dear Donna,
What a wonderful memory to share with me! It reminded me of how he had piano lessons in the convent before school and loved to show that sense of humor by playing the “Boogie-Woogie” once, smiling as he woke up the nuns. Thank you for your fond memories.
Sending our love. I am so sorry for your loss.
Arlee and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I remember him as being such a nice person. Please accept my condolences. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Arlee and family we will miss Michael very much. We will pray for you and your family
Mike was a great guy and II remember him fondly. He was one of the “good guys” in the class. He is now enjoying his eternal reward for a life well and honorably lived.
So sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to his devoted wife and family. So glad I got a chance to see him at our High School reunion. Rest in peace, friend.
I am so very sorry, Arlee! I can’t imagine what you must be going through. Sending you my love, prayers, and support.
Hi all, thanks to all for the kind comments here about my father. I found it helpful to write up some of my thoughts and memories at valentinium.com for those that are interested.
Jeff, your blog post was most touching. I learned many new things about your father. It’s apparent that you not only loved him, but you also admired him.
It was a great shock when Arlee advised me of Michael’s passing. He was a cherished friend for three decades, and I can’t imagine not having his friendship and expertise to turn to.
He was so generous with his time, and gave of himself to others without thought of his own obligations. He was a true Christian in every sense 0f the word. He was one of the most multi-talented people I ever knew. He was a major part of my life, as well as many others, and I will never forget our times together. God bless you Michael, and my heartfelt condolences to Arlee, Jeff and Christopher.
Rest in piece Michael…. My friend forever.
Arlee…I was so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I remember Mike fondly from our high school days and was so happy to see him at our 50th High School Reunion! Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless