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Horan & McConaty - Central Denver

3020 Federal Boulevard

Denver, Colorado

Ray Valente Obituary

Ray Valente, 91, of Wheat Ridge, husband of Elaine; father of Ray Jr. and Mark; fatherin-law of Linda Valente and Paula Valente; grandfather of Jaida (Sandro) Paolini, and Gia Valente; great grandfather of Marcella Paolini; he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. The family will receive friends Thursday, 6PM - 8PM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3020 Federal Blvd. Funeral Mass, Friday, 9AM, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 3549 Navajo Street. Entombment, Mount Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions suggested to Dominican Home Health Agency, 2501 Gaylord Street, Denver, 80205. For complete obituary please visit HoranCares.com.

Published by Denver Post from May 10 to May 11, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
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After the death of my mom & sister in 1976 my father took me to see Ray Valente. I was 11 years old & I asked Ray how old do you need to be to work here. Ray said You can start next week. Ever since that day I worked at Valente's until I graduated high school & worked for Marc's when I came home from College. Ray was unbelievable the greatest soul I have known.

Mike Middleton

April 3, 2019

Joe Trabucco

January 19, 2019

I'm so deeply saddened by this, my deepest condolences. The Valente family were mentors to me when I was a young boy. So many fond memories of Ray and his restaurant. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Daniel Mantas

Daniel Mantas

May 16, 2016

To all the Valente family I express my deepest sympathy and condolences. I'm sure Ray and my dad Sam are having a good laugh in heaven right now just like they did so many times here on earth. God bless you all!

Johnny Calvaresi

May 14, 2016

Ray Valente,
You will always be remembered in my life. I remember when in Jr. High School I started washing cars for you at the gas station. Then when you & your brother started Mirror Glaze you always had some delivering or cleaning up so I could do to make a buck. when I lost my daughter & wife in 1976 you were there. I could not cook Mike & I had many breakfast, Lunch & dinners at Valente's. You had Mike come to work at Valente's when he was 11yrs. old. working Saturday mornings. When Mike was of age you had a job for him working at Valente's. I remember you telling me what it would mean to Mike getting a check every week & you wires right. Miked worked at Valente's & Marc's until his Jr. year at UNLV. Again you were there when my mother died in 2007. GOD IS BLESSED TO HAVE YOU
JERRY MIDDLETON "BARBER TO THE STARS"

JERRY MIDDLETON

May 14, 2016

Ray was the best he truly cared about his customers and friends. My mom Rose Dire and I ate at Marks several nights a week after my dad Joe Dire passed away. Mark and Ray always found the time to say hello to us. I am so sorry I missed yesterday, Ray attended both and I promises to be there for Ray. Rest in peace my friend and of course we all know you are in GODS HANDS. You will always be remembered with love.

Donna Dire

May 14, 2016

When I moved to Denver in 1976 to sing in a band, my friend took me to dinner @ Valente's on 1 of my first few nights in town....Sr. came over to say hello & when we were introduced & struck up a conversation, he slid into the booth with us & we talked & laughed & he made me feel so welcome in my new Denver adventure! Later, after I married & hubby & I were really struggling to make the payments on our home, Ray gave me a job working lunches at Valente's ~ I LOVED that job & that restaurant....got a free lunch on days I worked & it was ALWAYS YUMMY ~ & when I sometimes asked Ray for an advance on my paycheck....he was always so kind & he would immediately reach in his pocket & he'd say "How much do youse need?" & I'd tell him & he'd give to to me....never had to ask me for it but he'd always wag a finger at me & in that gruff Sr. voice we all knew & loved so much, he'd say "Now you pay me back, ya hear?!" I'd reassure him that I would & I ALWAYS did right on time! Indeed a kind & generous man & he's leaving a big hole in the hearts & lives of so many folks.....we will miss you, dear friend.....rest in peace, Ray & God bless all of the family & friends he left behind....may they be comforted with fond memories & God bless them with peace of mind - Alexis Smith- Twiford

Alexis Smith-Twiford

May 14, 2016

Dear Valente Family, Words cannot ease the pain for your loss, but know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We have special memories of your Pop! He will be sadly missed. Love

Terri and JT Lo Sasso

May 13, 2016

Our condolences to the entire Valente family! Ray was such a part of all our lives growing up in Wheat Ridge and such a generous soul, especially when someone in our family passed away and he would bring all the food for the guests! I hope someone is supplying the meatballs, sausage and pasta for Ray's celebration of life today. :) God Bless all of you from the entire Gus & Winnie Gravina Family!

Laura Gravina

May 13, 2016

I have known Ray my whole life. Myself, brother, and children all worked for Ray, everyone worked for Ray!! Thanks for all the hassle, fun times, and the job. RIP Ray

Stephanie Tavares (Churchill)

May 13, 2016

Ray was a great Man, Friend, and Neighbor we will truly miss him.

Jerry & Cheryl Ambrosio

May 13, 2016

Ray was such a generous man , when my father passed he sent over containers of food and feed everyone. He was a mans man, Rest in peace Ray.

Steve Egender

May 12, 2016

Valente's Restaurant holds so many memories for me. My dad and mom grew up in North Denver, I believe they knew each other in High School. Anyway my Dad loved this place. We went often, my son who will soon be 32 grew up on his spaghetti, we would buy some to go! I still remember George the waiter and the Italian Delights! Marc's was a great place too. My kids and I ate there one last time before it closed. Thinking of you all. What a great man.
Wendy Kennison Watson

Wendy Watson

May 12, 2016

Ray was a wonderful man and the community will miss him. He was a good friend to my dad, Ron Sarsfield, for many, many years. It grieves me that they are both gone now. A generation of truly great men!
With Sincerest Sympathy,
Kay Sarsfield-Schuler
San Tan Valley, Arizona

Kay Sarsfield-Schuler

May 12, 2016

Ray was a good friend to our family. He was one of my baseball and football coaches growing up. We ate at his restaurant almost every week. He always supported my campaigns. I know that I and my family will miss him. Ed Perlmutter

May 12, 2016

Ray was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him. Our love to his family.

Gayle Maschari-Mohr

May 12, 2016

Valente's was the place to be and Ray was Mr. Wheatridge. Kind, jolly and helpful, he always had a welcome word and way to make you feel at home. How many times did Valente's become the place to make good things happen?? We from Edgewater borrowed Valente's as our spot, when we didn't have a nice restaurant to call our own.
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand until your grief is healed. Bonnie Allison, mayor of Edgewater, 1977-1982

bonnie allison

May 12, 2016

Mr."V". You will be missed by many. May you rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to Elaine, Ray Jr. and Mark

Philayne Bellamy-Kile

May 11, 2016

Ray was always a kind and generous man. He was one of my Dad's dearest friends. I am sure they are sharing a glass of wine together again.

Paul Calabrese

May 11, 2016

A consummate Father and Owner/Host of a fabled family restaurant that was a favorite to many within and outside of the Denver area. Solemn and sincere condolences to the Valente family, and a full heart of gratitude for the many wonderful evenings spent at Valente's Italian Restaurant. Ray restored us all! May God Bless him and all his family. One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love. Sophocles

Ralph Smith

May 11, 2016

Stephanie Tavares (Churchill)

May 10, 2016

Ray was always there to greet everyone who entered the restaurant and was always cheerful and happy. He was truly the face of Valentis Restaurant. We always missed that smiling face after the restaurant closed. My sincere sympathy to the family.

Judy Reale

May 10, 2016

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results

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Memorial Events
for Ray Valente

May

12

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Horan & McConaty - Central Denver

3020 Federal Boulevard, Denver, CO 80211

May

13

Funeral Mass

9:00 a.m.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church

3549 Navajo Street, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Horan & McConaty - Central Denver

3020 Federal Boulevard, Denver, CO 80211

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