Anthony "A.J." Valenti

On February 3, 2017, Anthony “AJ” Valenti passed away peacefully at home. He was just one month shy of his 79th birthday. Terri, his wife of 30 years, was the great love of his life! She took care of him and loved him like there was no tomorrow, and that alone made him a very happy man! But AJ was blessed with much, much more and he knew it. He thought his kids were the greatest kids on earth – all eight of them: Timothy Valenti (Tammy), Richard Valenti (Alicia), Regina Valenti (Robert LaFleur), Lisa Tartaglia (Nicholas), Connie McCloskey (Mike), Monica Valenti, Scott Joiner, and Leigh Miller (Jesse). AJ’s eight children blessed him with 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. AJ was born to Sam and Grace Valenti in New Orleans, Louisiana as the first of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Carlos Richard Valenti, Mary Francis Valenti and Donald Eugene Valenti. AJ made his parents proud as an excellent student and outstanding football player at Sacred Heart of Jesus in New Orleans. He was named as a States Item All – Metro Football Player his entire high school career. He broke numerous records and received a long list of accolades as a Jet team member. This led him on a path that would make him most proud – playing football for Ole Miss. AJ was also honored to have served our United States as a member of the National Guard. AJ spent most of his adult life proudly serving the citizens of Jefferson Parish as a deputy of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. He made his way through the ranks, filling every position from patrol officer to detective and narcotics agent. He was once again recognized for his outstanding accomplishments, including many notable arrests. As a young officer, he was shot in the line of duty while investigating a suspicious vehicle. This may have deterred some, but it only encouraged AJ to continue to serve the community as an instructor in the JPSO training academy. After retiring as a Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office, AJ carried those skills into a new career as a private investigator. He founded his own private investigation company, AJ Valenti & Associates, which is still in existence today. AJ and his wife Terri have been residents of Harahan. As members of Colonial Golf & Country Club, AJ and Terri were both avid golfers. AJ was a dog lover and member of the Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue. Over the years, he and Terri were directly responsible for rescuing and fostering hundreds of animals and finding permanent homes for many more. He leaves behind his closest canine companion, Taco (a rescue), who was always by his side. AJ was also an expert photographer, which ultimately led him to become the team photographer for the USFL New Orleans Breakers . AJ was a diehard fan of the New Orleans Saints and was recently recognized as one of the team’s original season ticket holders. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the family of fallen Westwego Police Officer Michael Louviere. Donations can be made to Westwego Police Benevolent Association, c/o AJ Valenti, 401 West Fourth Street, Westwego, LA 70094. Although AJ did not know Officer Louviere personally, the safety of all police officers was always in his prayers. Visitation is on Friday, February 10, 2017, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral service begins at 1:00 PM in the chapel followed by graveside burial service at Metairie Cemetery. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com .