Giacomo M. “Jack” Valvo
Giacomo M. “Jack” Valvo, 89, of Rome, returned to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Rome Memorial Hospital. His devotion to his family and his faith supported him in his final days and ultimately gave him peace.
Jack was born in Rome on June 5, 1925, a son of Carmelo and Lorenza Minuto Valvo. Much of his childhood memories include working with his family at the family produce stand on South James Street.
On July 12, 1947, he married is “Cara Mia” sweetheart, Mary Ann Bove. The couple recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Together they were blessed with three children who they raised together with faith, hope and love.
A dedicated and intelligent man, Jack graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1943. Although he was accepted into both Buffalo University’s pre-med and Notre Dame’s law programs, Jack choose to stay and run the S. James Street farm, a role he dedicated himself to until 1957 when a change in the produce industry led him to a position at Revere Copper and Brass. At Revere, Jack worked in various departments, including operations, shipping and as a supervisor. In 1959, he became the Financial Secretary of the MESA Local #56, a job he held until 1957. He took great pride in his union position and often reflected on his time in this role. In June 1986, he retired from Revere after 29 years of service.
In 1988, he and Mary Ann moved to Port St. Lucie, FL where they made many friends and memories. They later moved to Fort Pierce, FL before returning to their Rome hometown in 2004.
A man of great faith, Jack was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and a loyal member of the Fourth Degree Knight’s of Columbus. He served in many capacities for the Council including Faithful Navigator. He treasured his membership and the many friends he made through the Knights.
Jack was a story teller and thinker at heart. He was kind, generous and soft-spoken, and always had time for a quick tale or to help solve a problem, no matter how small. Be it his union trips or “days at the market”, his stories were memorable and almost always made you chuckle.
Jack is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Ann, two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara and Charlie Ingersoll of Camden, and Lorenza Parzych of Holland Patent; a son and daughter-in-law, Carmen and Maureen Valvo of Garden City; his cherished grandchildren and their spouses, Amy Parzych and Joshua Grant, Dawn Parzych and Dave Potter, Melissa Parzych, Shelia Valvo, Deirdre and Dan Calley, Gregory Valvo, Kari and Benjamin Tucker and Sara and James Powers; eight great-grandchildren, Ashley, Myra, Brooke, Callen, Jeffery, Blake, Tyler and Grace. He was predeceased by a grandson, Matthew Ingersoll; three brothers, Dr. Anthony, Frank and Dr. Joseph Valvo; and two sisters, Anna Valvo Rizzo and Frances Valvo Favata.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Rome Memorial Hospital and Bethany Gardens for the care provided to Jack.
Funeral services will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 11:00 at St. John the Baptist Church for a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio as celebrant. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 at the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St.
Contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund or to the Jervis Public Library. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.