Anthony J. Valley 1927-2023

Tony was born Dec. 23, 1927, in Youngstown, a son of Anthony and Lena Policy Valley. In 1945, he graduated from The Rayen School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II on the USS Topeka in the Pacific Theater in Japan.

On May 15, 1948, Tony married Dorothy Bevilacqua. They shared 61 wonderful years of marriage until her death on Nov. 7, 2019. They met while working at the A&P Grocery Store on Belmont Avenue.

He worked for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company for 37 1/2 years as a central office repairman and ending as a PBX repair foreman, retiring in 1982.

Tony was a lifelong dedicated parishioner at St. Ann Church on West Federal Street, and then at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Brier Hill, where he organized senior servers for funerals, ushers for Masses and carrying of the St. Anthony Statue for the June 13 Feast Day procession. Tony and Dorothy enjoyed participating in St. Anthony’s husband and wife bowling league.

Tony was a member of the St. Anthony Senior Citizen Club, where he served as secretary when his wife passed the job on to him. He was also the travel chairman for the club and coordinated countless monthly bus trips to shrines, shows, events and casinos. His bus was filled with travelers from many different churches in the area.

Tony served as St. Anthony’s Boy Scout Troop 7 committee chairman for over 20 years, from the troop’s inception in 1959. He was actively involved in camping trips, planning and participating in tours, events and fundraisers, always with his wife, Dorothy, by his side.

He loved making cavatelli, pizzelles and biscotti from scratch, as remembered from his childhood in his mother’s kitchen. Upon his retirement, he was passionate about baking, as well as golfing, gardening and working his crossword puzzles.

Tony was a dedicated father, grandfather and friend and is remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, strong work ethic and his loyalty and deep love for his family and dear friends. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and children. He and Dorothy were blessed with many treasured and dear friends who were very much a part of the family.

In 1974, upon moving to Liberty from Brier Hill, they began a Tuesday night coffee and dessert tradition with Tony’s brother, sister and their spouses. This tradition turned into dinner at Papa’s and enjoyed by his grand and great-grandchildren. This tradition has continued without interruption up to Tony’s passing.

Tony and Dorothy both loved to talk with people and enjoyed having company over almost nightly.

Tony leaves to cherish memories of him, his children, Anthony J. Valley III of St. Paul, Minnesota, Nicholas (Maria) Valley of Canfield, Mari Ann (William) Cann of Liberty Township, who lived with and cared for her father, and Dominic (Colleen Russell) Valley of Phoenix, Arizona; his six grandchildren, William (Melanie) Cann of Hubbard, Nicole (Christopher) Anthony of Canfield, Jennifer (Christopher) Bacha of Austintown, Joseph Valley (Katie Garrity ) of Colorado, Anthony Cann of Masury and Anthony Valley of Colorado: and his six great-grandchildren, Addison Cann, Aubrey Cann, Frankie Anthony, Avery Bacha, Anthony J. Cann Jr. and Landon Cann.

Along with his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Bevilacqua Valley; his brother, John Valley; his brother-in-law, Sam Casale; and his mother-in-law, Mary Guido Bevilacqua Ripa, who made her home with Tony and Dorothy.

The family wishes to thank Tony’s caregivers, Angie Mass, Jennifer Dragon and Janelle Hoover, for their unwavering compassionate and loving care given to Tony during his time of need.

The family also wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for their support.

Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at Schiavone Funeral Home, and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at St. Anthony Parish, 1155 Turin Ave., Youngstown, in Brier Hill, followed by a Mass in celebration of Tony’s life.

Please visit www.schiavonefh.com to share condolences.

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