Stephen F. Valletta, age 49, a life-long resident of Wilmington, died unexpectedly at home on April 5, 2015.
Stephen was born on June 10, 1965, in Saugus, MA; he was the cherished son of Marie T. and the late Frank S. Valletta. Stephen was raised in Wilmington, he attended Wilmington Public Schools, and was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1983. While in High School, Stephen played varsity basketball for the Wilmington Wildcats.
Stephen went on to further his education at Merrimack College in Andover where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1988.
For more than 20 years, Stephen was employed as a Financial Manager for the AutoServ Company in Tilton, New Hampshire.
Stephen was known to be an avid New England sports fan; he enjoyed taking in countless Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics games with his family and friends throughout the years. Stephen was also a huge WWF wrestling fan and loved to watch Monday Night Raw with his nephews.
Stephen not only followed sports but he spent many years volunteering with the youth of Wilmington; Stephen coached Wilmington Little League as well as Wilmington Rec. Basketball.
Stephen’s family was always first and foremost in his life; he showered them with unconditional love and devotion. Stephen was a wonderful son, father, brother, and most of all an “awesome” uncle. Stephen was a “big kid” at heart, he spent many hours babysitting his nieces and nephews, taking them on great adventures, and attending many of their sporting events. Stephen loved going to the beach and enjoyed spending time with the family poolside. Holidays and family traditions were of great importance to Stephen; Christmas was one of his favorites and he carried on the annual reading of the Christmas stories to his children and nieces and nephews following the death of his dad.
Stephen was proud to be a “townie” and was always willing to give back to the community he loved. Stephen will be fondly remembered for his big heart and for his willingness to do for others. Stephen was kind, caring, and most of all loving; he will be greatly missed by his family and friends whom he loved so much.
Stephen was the dear husband of Cheryl A. (Burt) Valletta, devoted father of Kelly Marie Valletta and Hank Schneckloth both of Wilmington, beloved son of Marie T. (Sullivan) and the late Frank S. Valletta of Wilmington, cherished brother of Susan Moorer of Peabody, Kristen Thornton of Tewksbury, and Carrie Gentili and her husband Keith of New Boston, NH, special uncle of Katie, Carolyn, Domenic, Chance, Austin, Julia, and Sarah. Stephen is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Thursday, April 9th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Dorothy’s Church, Main Street (Rte. 38), Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 8th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial donations in Stephen’s name may be made to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ, 08540.
(NOTE: Obituary from Nichols Funeral Home.)
Wilmington Apple 