Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Rocco R. Valente, “Rocky”, age 93, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024.
Rocky was born on March 14, 1931, in Watertown, MA; he was the dear son of the late Guiseppe and Agnes (Rizzi) Valente. Rocky was raised and educated in Belmont, MA, and a graduate of Belmont High School.
Following High School, Rocky was inducted into the United States Army on March 10, 1952 during the Korean War. Rocky served in with the Battery B, 107 FA Battalion; they were stationed overseas in Germany a country that he thought was beautiful in spite of being there for the war efforts. Rocky earned several medals for his honorable service including the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged as Corporal on February 17, 1954 and returned home to his family in Belmont.
Rocky married “his sweetheart” Loretta Buda on November 30, 1957, the couple settled in Belmont where they started their family. In 1968, Rocky and Loretta bought their home in Wilmington where they raised their family. Throughout their 66 years together, the couple welcomed ten children, seventeen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; their home was always full of family and friends and many great times were shared.
Rocky worked hard to provide for his family, for more than 40 years he was employed with the Water Department for the town of Belmont, retiring in 1994.
In his spare time, Rocky enjoyed going for long walks, working in his gardens, and following his Boston Sports teams, especially the Boston Red Sox. He was a talented dancer who enjoyed going to dance clubs with Loretta and attending shows at the North Shore Music Theatre.
Rocky and Loretta loved to travel and visit family in Florida and California. Some of their favorite trips included going to Italy, exploring the Grand Canyon, and cruising to Alaska.
Rocky will be remembered as a quiet man and a hard worker who will be missed by his family and friends.
Rocco was the beloved husband of 66 years to the late Loretta (Buda) Valente, devoted father of Angela Valente Romeo of Nashville, TN, Annette Strand & husband Bob of Billerica, Lucia Carlson & husband Michael Marquis of Tewksbury, Teresa Ayer & husband John of Pepperell, Paul Valente and Joan Logee of Westford, Michael Valente of Oviedo, FL, John Valente of Medford, Donna Schulz & husband Joe of Oviedo, FL, Kristina Saunders & husband Ken of Deltona, FL, and Annemarie Melendez & husband Pablo of Orlando, FL. Loving “Papa” of Ryan Carlson, John Arnold III, Matthew Carlson, Jessica Philbrook, Tayla Martell, Alixandra Martell, Brianna Valente, TJ Martell, Samantha Ayer, Nikolas Schulz, the late Victoria Valente, Gavin Anderson, Joey Schulz, Aalyah West, Cameron Saunders, Emma Saunders, Amiya Valente, as well as many great-grandchildren. Dear brother of the late Anne Holland, Salvatore Valente, Alexander Valente, and Jennie O’Day. Rocco is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Friday, May 31 st from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. followed by a Service at 1:00 p.m. Interment with Military Honors will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rocco’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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