Fredrick C. Valenti, 89

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Frederick C. Valenti, 89, of 292 Newell St., the Lakewood section of Pittsfield, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at Mt. Greylock Extended Care surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on December 11, 1926, in Pittsfield, he was the son of the late Federico and Maria Maselli Valenti. He was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1944 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He enlisted in the US Army on March 21, 1945, and proudly served his country in Japan in the 11th Airborne Division.  Fred was employed for 40 years at General Electric and spent the last part of his G.E. career as the General Manager of the Gas Plant. 

He was a longtime communicant of the former All Souls Church, where he was a member of its Holy Name Society and started with fellow members of the church its Polenta Dinners. He was a current communicant of St. Agnes Church. 

He was also a member of the Italian American Club, where he was a past president. He enjoyed walking, hunting, fishing, golfing, hiking, bowling and bocce. 

He leaves his wife of 66 years, the former Mary C. Papa of Pittsfield, whom he married June 10, 1950, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in North Adams; three sons, Steven and his wife Carolyn of Dalton, Gary and his wife Kathy of Pittsfield and David of Gilbert, Ariz.; three grandsons, Michael, Evan and Christopher; and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

He was predeceased by three brothers, Gino, Adolf and Dario; and four sisters, Margaret Bogino, Ida Doyle, Valentina Wilk and Nina Chiaretto. 

Fred's family would like to thank the entire staff of Mt. Greylock Extended Care, where he spent the last nine months of his journey. Their love, compassion, comfort and skills were and are exemplary.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Frederick C. Valenti, who died July 19, 2016, will be held on Monday, July 25, 2016, at 11 a.m at St. Agnes Church in Dalton. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. 

Calling hours will be held Sunday, July 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield. Memorial donations in memory of Fred may be made to the Boy's and Girl's Club of the Berkshires in care of the funeral home, where Fred spent a lot of time at the club when he was a youngster.