Valentino Alphanso Smith

March 21. 1939 - August 20. 2025

Valentino Smith aka Woody was born on March 21, 1939 to a Panamanian

Mother and a Jamaican Father. The eighth of nine children born to Violetta Myrie Smith

and Donald Smith in Annotto Bay St Mary, in Jamaica, West Indies. His parents and

siblings all preceded him in death. He was registered as Valento Alfonco, which he

changed to Valentino Alphonso later in life. He attended Mona College at the University

of the West Indies, where once his mother passed he left and went to work as an

apprentice book-keeper at Grays Inn Estate. Valentino over the years worked as an

over-seer on several estates including Suffolk Park Estate in St Thomas on which his

last child was born. He worked as one of the only two internal auditors of his time on

the Island. A civil servant, he worked as a senior auditor for the Jamaica Development

bank up until his emigration to the United States. While living in Chicago with his eight

children, he was bestowed a Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies

for his commitment to Service and Excellency for his years of service.

Valentino migrated to the United States with his children in 1983. The sole

purpose was to allow them the myriad opportunities that the American dream offers.

Ambitious, hardworking, are two characteristics that personifies him. He was a provider

and a protector especially of his family and he brought up his kids in a strict, safe

environment. Valentino found his niche within the insurance industry starting out with

Metropolitan Life, then had a very successful run with New York Life which he retired

from before venturing on his own and forming VS Insurance Inc. He and his Wife Delris

Invested and acquired an Independent Allstate Agency which he and Sheron ran

successfully until he moved to Lehigh Acres. Not one to sit around, he formed VS

Insurance Agency where he dabbled until his full retirement in 2022 due to his illness.

He until the end was of sound mind and faced his demise bravely. He was surrounded

by his children including Frantz who currently resides in Nicaragua via WhatsApp video

and took his last breath with his twins at his bed side.

He is preceded in death by his wife Delris Smith (2012) and his sons Yuri Smith

(1994) and Knolly Smith (2000). He is survived by his 6 children: Angella ,Andrea,

Frantz, Arlene, Alwayne and Sheron, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. May

his soul rest in peace.

A visitation for Valentino will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913 from 10 am until the time fo the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.