Frank Anthony Valenti

A resident of Denham Springs, a former longtime resident of Baton Rouge, and a native of Donaldsonville, he died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007. He was 82, born July 2, 1924. He graduated fromDonaldsonvilleHigh Schoolwhere he was a member of the boxing team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 36th Infantry Division during the invasion of Italy. He earned the Purple Heart Medal and was wounded twice in the invasion ofSouthern France. After the war, he worked for Joy's Furniture while attending LSU and started his own company selling appliances in 1952. He later merged with E.L. Chenevert as Chenevert Furniture, and founded Valenti Furniture in 1980. He retired in 2004. A well respected member of the furniture business community, he will be remembered and missed by all of his former employees and customers. He was a kind, compassionate man, a loving father and devoted husband. He enjoyed the outdoors, duck hunting, LSU sports and entertaining his family and friends. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Gremillion Valenti; daughters and sons-in-law, Loretta and Mike Martone, Mary Theresa Bernard, and Sharon and Rusty Holston; sons and daughter-in-law, Frank Jr. and Susan Valenti, James Valenti and Richard Valenti; stepsons, Dennis, Michael and Ricky Gremillion; brothers, John and Sam Valenti; sister, Sara Labello; grandchildren, Lisa Dabadie, Laurie Rayburn, Harold Mapes, Brett and Melisha Bernard, Aileen Griffin, Timothy and Frank Valenti III, Tina Dustin, Raymond, Alec, Lauren and Michelle Holston and Nina Soricelli; great-grandchildren, Traci, Lanie and Michael Rayburn, Bobby Dabadie, Anna Newton, Jacob Mapes, Chasity and Casey Griffen, Amanda Roe, Danielle and Joshua Dustin, Katlyn and Elizabeth Valenti and Issac Soricelli; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his wife, Mary Campo Valenti; parents, Rosario and Mary Traina Valenti; brothers, Jasper, Dominic, Joseph, Charles and Louis Valenti; sisters, Agnes Sciortino and Virginia Landry; son-in-law, Lou Bernard; and stepson, Craig Gremillion. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Denham Springs, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Chris Romaine, celebrant. Interment inResthavenGardensof Memory.