Paul Valente

Newport, RI - Paul Valente, 83, of 87 Girard Avenue, Newport, RI, formerly of 774 Jepson Lane, Middletown, RI, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at the Newport Hospital.He was the former husband of the late Elvera Brecht.Born in North Providence, RI on July 21, 1928, he was the son of the late Olympio and Anna Imondi Valente.Mr. Valente served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a contractor for 50 years for Valente Construction where he was instrumental in building St. Barnabas Church, the Portsmouth Fire Department, the Portsmouth Priory Building and St. Philomena School. He had also worked for 20 years at the Newport Hospital in the maintenance department retiring in 1994. Mr. Valente was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, den leader, troop leader to council headquarters. He was a commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, assistant director and the 1st explorer unit. Mr. Valente was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the Yawgoog Alumni Association and a 51 year member of AA. He is survived by his children, Gerald Valente and his wife Donna of Fall River, MA, Paul Valente and his wife Billie Jane of Little Compton, RI, Robert Valente and his wife Debora of Tiverton, RI, William Valente and his wife Donna of Middletown, RI, Bruce Valente and his companion Jeannette of Little Compton, RI and Debra Young and her husband David of Portsmouth, RI, his grandchildren, Christine Sullivan and her husband Joseph of Highlands Ranch, CO, Stephanie Mediate and her husband Joseph of Portsmouth RI, Kimberly Hernas and her husband Carl of New York, NY, Jody Schlacter of Portsmouth, RI, Katie Valente of Tiverton, RI, Nicholas Valente, Matthew Young, Michael Young and Dylan Young all of Portsmouth, RI, his great grandchildren, Connor Sullivan and Hunter Sullivan of Highlands Ranch, CO, Jacob Kimes and Caitlin Mediate of Portsmouth, RI, Gianna Valente of Tiverton, RI and Jace Schlacter of Portsmouth, RI, his sisters Phyllis Presbrey of Mercerland, WA and Helen Lonardo of Providence, RI, and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Ernest Valente. A memorial service will be held on February 4, 2012, at 11:00AM, in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial in RI Veterans Cemetery in Exeter will be private.Donations in his memory may be made to St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871.