April 26, 2924
REST IN PEACE
Lawrence (Larry) Valentine, age 91, died Friday, April 26, 2024. He was cherished by his beloved Joanne Pilat, daughter Laura (Hernan) Fonseca, grandsons Andrew and Eric Fonseca, sister Mary (Al) Moresco, late aunt Viola (late Sabino) Zanoni, nieces Celeste Moresco and Susan (Brent) Lewin, Brad Hagan, grandnieces Victoria Hagan and Isabella Lewin, and many cousins in the U.S and Italy.
Loved by Patricia (Robert) Hastings, late Pamela (late William) Ross, Kathy (Michael Ensdorf) Pilat, Katharine (Andrew Smith) Ross, late Anne and Joseph Pilat, and many friends and colleagues.
Born January 1, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY to parents Angelo and Eleonor Pia Gabos Valentini. Longtime resident of Park Ridge and Chicago. Formerly married to late Annemarie Valentine, mother of Laura Fonseca.
BA Philosophy, St. Charles Seminary/Fordham University. Pontificio Collegio pro Emigrazione, Rome, Italy. MS Rehabilitation Administration, DePaul University. Loyola University Medical Center, Clinical Pastoral Education Certification. Board certified Chaplain (BCC).
Larry was a resigned Priest, a member of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, also known as the Scalabrinians; Executive Director of NSAR, (Avenues to Independence), Park Ridge where he built Clifton House (Sasser House) and opened sheltered workshops; Program Coordinator to Northwestern University Medical School / McGaw Medical Center; Director of Development, Addolorata Villa; Executive Director of Little Brothers of the Poor; Consultant to a White House Conference on Aging; Executive Director of Berwyn-Cicero Council on Aging (BCCOA); and Chaplain/Director of Spiritual Services at Resurrection Retirement Community in Chicago.
A man of ministry, Larry was also a family man who loved philosophy, gardening, etching and painting, opera and other music, traveling and cooking. He will be remembered by those who knew him for his insight, quick wit, and integrity; he was a man of wisdom and compassion and had quiet courage while enduring the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease.
Andrew and Eric will forever cherish their time with “Nonno”. This included dining on his “world famous” pancakes, salmon, and fresh loaves of Italian bread, which he always had on hand. Nonno’s quick wit, humor, and love of pranks live on with his grandsons. They continue to honor their grandfather through service to country, dedication to faith, and commitment to family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s name will be appreciated at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607 Phone 312-738-7560, or to Avenues to Independence (formerly NSAR), 515 Busse Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone 847-292-0870
Visitation Friday, May 17, 4-8 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy. Park Ridge, IL 60068. Funeral Mass Saturday, May 18, 12 p.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 140 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Interment Saturday, May 18, immediately following funeral Mass at Town of Maine Cemetery, 2101 W. Touhy Ave. Park Ridge, IL.
Lawrence was a member of CORPUS.