Anthony Valentino
Died: 2/4/2007
Description:
Anthony John "Tony" Valentino, age 83, died at home of his dear friends on February 4, 2007, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Tony was born April 25, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late John and Frances Valentino. Tony served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942-1951; he
served with the 2nd Brigade in World War II in the Pacific Theater and in Korea.
Gunny Sgt. Valentino was an ordnance supply chief and a lineman.
On October 21, 1943, he was united in marriage to PFC Margery Hunt in Washington, D. C.
Before Tony's arrival in Longview in January of 1953, Tony owned and operated a sporting goods business in El Dorado, Arkansas. With his first location at Avalon and Green, he later opened Tony's Sporting Goods on Mobberly Avenue. He served this community for 50+ years, and continued to provide merchandise at Longview's Trade Days weekend years after closing his store.
Tony was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a founding member of the Men's Bible Class and member of the Men's Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast.
He loved God, Marines, and friends - being a caregiver to all he could.
As a local Marine Chaplain, he was always interested in helping other people and doing community service; transporting vets to appointments in Shreveport; working on Toys for Tots, and numerous other volunteer organizations, such as Meals on Wheels.
Mr. Valentino is survived by his niece, Joanne Ebert of San Antonio; niece, Karen Valentino of Chicago, and his sweet friend, Belle Spear of Longview. He is
also survived by numerous ?cousins? and friends throughout Longview and East Texas.
Mr. Valentino was preceded in death by his wife, Margery Valentino, his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Toys for Tots, or to a charity of choice.
Comments
| User | Message | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Darling Pecorino | I interviewed Tony and two of his friends about the time he served at Guadalcanal. I was a reporter for the Kilgore News Herald. His story touched my life and inspired me. I just learned of his passing, and wanted to say that this was a good man and I know heaven is blessed to have him. | 6/28/2011 11:00 PM | |
| James L. Wasson | Tony was a special person to me I first met him when he was in business on south green street. He once tried to sign me up for the Marine reserves. That was just his style he was a fun person and a good business man also. I enjoyed going to his store just to talk to him. What a great man to do business with. | 2/10/2007 12:00 PM | |
| John H. Barksdale | Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony's family and friends. If you went into Tony's store you always walked away with a smile from a story he would tell you, a new friend and what every you went into buy. Tony was one that the Lord put in our lives to make us smile. | 2/9/2007 12:00 PM | |
| Julie Tucker | We will miss our treasured friend and fan. Tony & Ms Belle came often to our concerts and we appreciate all their support through the years. I also can remember what fun it was going into "Tony's" as a little girl with my dad for fishing supplies. What a blessing to know him! | 2/8/2007 12:00 PM | |
| Capt. Darren B. Jones | He was a true, classic, Old School Marine. They honestly do not make them like that anymore. I have many many fond memories of going into Tony's. I bought a .22 rifle from him, one of my first gun purchases ever as a young man. He will be missed. Semper Fidelis Tony Valentino | 2/8/2007 12:00 PM | |
| Morris Booth | I first met Tony when my mother took me into his store to buy life jackets. There, Tony discovered that I didn't know how to swim. He said "bring him to the Y on Monday afternoon... I'll teach him to swim the Marine Corp way!" And Tony did just that! I have had such fond memories of Tony. I worked for Tony in high school and through college. He would great all who walked through his doors "Come on in cousin". When checking out, he would give everybody a special deal. "Since it's your birthday ..." or "I'm going to give you the brother-in-law price." I always loved to see the expressions on the customer's face when buying a flashlight. When asked if it was a good one, Tony would say that flashlight would shine from Longview to Gilmer. I feel very fortunate to have known such a great man as Tony. I don't think I would be the person I am today or would have accomplished the things I have thus far in life if it wasn't for Tony. He always gave from his heart and was a true friend to all. | 2/8/2007 12:00 PM | |
| Carter Tucker | I can't express how much of an impact your Tony has had on SO MANY folks around here. "Being one of Tony's Cousins" is fondly recounted by my friends and I Year after Year after Year!! His influence on me as a storekeeper and a GOOD MAN cannot be measured. Tony ALWAYS made Me & others feel like he TREASURED My Visit and My Business. He will Never be forgotten. God Bless Tony and his family WAAAY Too Many Cousins to list. | 2/8/2007 12:00 PM |