Dario "Red" Joseph Valenti passed away on January 11, 2016, surround by his family and his wife Santina Valenti.
He was born in Wilmington, Vermont, on May 30, 1919, son of the late Frederico and Maria Mazelli Valenti, then moving to Pittsfield where he resided for his remaining years.
He graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of 1938, and completed the General Electric Company Apprentice Program. He worked as a toolmaker and then as a senior design draftsman for G.E.'s Plastics Division for 49 years retiring in 1982. He was a member of the General Electric Quarter Century and Pensioners Clubs.
He married the love of his life, Santina "Sandy" Campagna, on January 24, 1942. They would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary on January 24, 2016.
Dario was a devoted husband to his wife, Sandy, a wonderful father to his son, Richard Valenti and his wife, Bonnie, and daughter, Sandra Valenti Messina and her husband, Charlie. Dario was blessed with grandson, Jason Valenti and his wife, Kara, and granddaughter, Jennifer Messina Jeskey and her husband, Adam. Adding more to his wonderful life was becoming a great grandpa to his great grandson, Kyle Valenti, and his two great granddaughters, Parker Messina Jeskey and Sydney Messina Jeskey, completing his vision, "Family is everything".
Red was quite the handyman and derived great pride in taking care of his home, yard, and gardens. Dario's family was of the utmost importance to him. He was always lending a helping hand to projects his children were doing, leaving his own work to help them. This is what made him "happy".
He so enjoyed family dinners together, making his famous homemade ravioli with his wife, Sandy, and having his family gather for special dinners and holidays. Summer vacations at the Jersey shore with his wife, children, their spouses and his wonderful grandchildren that meant the world to him.
Spending time with grandson, Jason, and granddaughter, Jennifer brought him numerous hours of joy. Memories with grandkids were "the best".
After retiring, Red and Sandy enjoyed traveling with friends to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, England, Scotland, and Wales, visiting family in Florida, Utah, Georgia, and Las Vegas, and many wonderful bus trips to the casino. They loved dancing Saturday evenings at the ITAM with their dear friends. He also enjoyed bowling.
Dario is also survived by a brother, Frederick Valenti and his wife, Mary, of Pittsfield,
and a sister, Nina Chiceretto, of Pittsfield.
For all of us sharing the wonderful memories he provided his family with, we will be forever grateful having him as husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. The love and devotion will live on forever.
Dario was pre-deceased by his parents, Frederico and Maria Valenti; brothers, Adolph Valenti and Gino Valenti; and sisters, Margaret Bogino, Ida Doyle, and Valentina Wilk.
We want to extend our gratitude to all of Dario's home caregivers, Debby, Linda, Paula, and Donna. We also wish to offer a very special thank you to all the staff at the Mount Carmel Care Center, especially the staff members in the St. Lukes wing. We have been blessed to have such special, dedicated caregivers who provided such wonderful care for our Dad, keeping him safe and comfortable at all times.


FUNERAL NOTICE:
Funeral services for Dario "Red" Joseph Valenti will be held Friday, January 15, 2016, at 12:00 noon at DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield with Rev. Geoffrey J. Deeker officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will precede the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mount Carmel Care Center Residents Fund in care of the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield

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